Savage  &  Farnum's 

CATALOGUE 

PERCHERON  HORSES 


Island  Home  Stock  Farm, 
GROSSE  ILE, 

188S. 


Digitized;by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  ^09  with  funding  from 

Boston  Library  Consortium  IVIember  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/islandhomestudofOOsava 


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ISLAND  HOME   STUD 


OF 


PERCHERON  HORSES 


INLAND  HOME  STOCK  FARM, 

GROSSE  ILE,  WAYNE  CO.,  MICH. 

City  OfBee,  Campau  Building,  corner  Earned  and  Griswold  Sts., 
opposite  the  PostofBee,  Detroit,  Mich. 


SAVAGE   &  FARNUM 


PROPRIETORS. 


DETROIT.  MICH. : 

JOHN   F.  EBY   &   CO.,   PRINTERS,  65  "WEST  CONGRESS   ST. 

■  1885. 


INTRODUCTION. 


With  this,  our  annual  catalogue  of  Island  Home  Stud  of  Percheron 
Horses,  we  append  a  few  facts  that  may  be  of  interest  to  the  general 
public,  as  well  as  those  contemplating  purchasing  Percheron  horses. 

ISLAND  HOME 
Stock  Farm  is  beautifully  situated  at  the  head  of  Grosse  He,  in  the  Detroit 
River,  ten  miles  below  the  city,  and  is  accessible  by  railroad  and  steamboat. 
The  island  is  eight  miles  in  length  and  about  two  in  width,  the  lower  end 
being  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  while  the  north  end,  on  which  Island  Home 
is  situated,  is  nearly  opposite  the  city  of  Wyandotte.  The  eastern  channel  of 
the  river  is  about  one  mile  wide,  and  constitutes  the  boundary  line  between 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  and  the  main  thoroughfare  for  the  vast 
shipping  of  the  great  lakes,  there  being  always  in  view  a  number  of 
vessels  during  the  season  of  navigation  ;  in  fact,  more  shipping  passes 
through  the  Detroit  River,  and  consequently  by  Island  Home,  than  any 
other  point  in  the  world. 

G-ROSSE  ILE 
Is  a  popular  suburban  and  summer  resort,  a  beautiful  drive  being  laid  out 
around  it  next  the  beach,  with  the  residences  facing  the  water.  The 
boating  and  fishing  is  unexcelled.  The  scenery,  with  its  many  other 
attractions,  make  it  a  most  delightful  place.  It  is  accessible  at  all  times 
by  railroad.  Formerly  the  Canada  Southern  ran  directly  across  the  Island, 
with  a  bridge  to  the  American  side  and  transports  to  the  Canadian  shore. 
Now,  the  road  being  in  the  hands  of  the  Michigan  Central,  they  run  a 
train  for  the  special  convenience  of  the  island  people,  many  of  whom  are 
engaged  in  business  in  the  city. 

VISITORS. 

Desiring  a  friendly  intercourse  with  those  interested  in  the  improve- 
ment of  the  stock  of  the  country,  whether  in  our  particular  lines  or  not, 
we  extend  a  cordial  invitation  to  all  to  visit  Island  Home,  where  a  friendly 
greeting  awaits  them.  By  calling  at  our  city  office,  Campau  Building, 
Detroit,  an  escort  will  be  furnished  those  desiring  it  ;  or,  if  going  directly 
to  the  farm,  they  will  find  a  gentlemanly  superintendent  at  all  times,  and 
during  the  season  of  sales  a  member  of  the  firm. 

STOCK. 

While  we  are  somewhat  interested  in  Cleveland  Bay  horses,  Exmoor 
ponies,  Holstein  and  Jersey  cattle,  the  principal  feature  and  pride  of  Island 
Home  is  its  stud  of  Percheron  horses.  With  profound  respect  for  the 
saying,  "  There  is  always  room  at  the  top,"  we  have  taken  unwearied  pains 
in  the  selection  of  our  stock,  accepting  only  those  of  fine  form  and  action, 
with  good  bone  and  muscle,  and  from  sires  and  dams  of  established  repu- 
tation and  merit,  all  our  stock  or  their  ancestors  being  the  progeny  of 
government  approved  stallions  and  recorded  in  the  French  stud-book. 

TERMS 
Of  sale  are  as  low  as  the  lowest  for  genuine  pedigree  stock.  Parties  desir- 
ing price  on  any  particular  horse,  can  have  same  by  giving  the  name  and 
number,  but  it  is  generally  better  to  come  and  see  the  stock.  However, 
those  desiring  to  purchase  on  our  judgment  will  find  everything  as  i-epre- 
sented.     Time  will  be  given,  on  approved  paper,  when  desired. 


11 1!  Will  Pi!  m  10  m  i 


First — Because  he  is  beyond  all  question  the  best  Farm.  Horse,  the 
best  Draft  Horse,  the  best  Coach  Horse,  the  best  Driving  Horse — in  fact, 
the  best  horse  for  any  purpose,  except  the  race  track,  known. 

Second — The  same  food  that  will  raise  an  ordinary  colt,  worth  at  three 
years  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  will  raise  a  half-blood 
Percheron  worth  at  the  same  age  from  five  to  seven  hundred  dollars,  or  a 
full-blood  worth  from  twelve  hundred  to  two  thousand  dollars,  giving  you 
a  profit  on  the  grade  horse  of  at  least  three  hundred  dollars,  and  on  the 
full-blood  a  profit  of  a  thousand  dollars  and  upwards,  the  extra  price  for 
service  being  amply  provided  for  in  the  above  figures. 

A  majority  of  farmers  have  the  requisite  ability  to  engage  in  the 
breeding  of  good  stock,  and  could  make  a  pleasant  and  profitable  occupa- 
tion of  it  if  they  simply  had  the  courage  to  look  the  facts  square  in  the 
face  and  make  the  move,  instead  of  plodding  along  in  the  old  rut  and 
finding  themselves  at  the  end  of  each  year  a  little  older,  a  little  more 
worn,  and  financially  just  about  where  they  were  at  the  end  of  the  pre- 
ceding year.  Fifteen  to  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  is  not  a  large  sum 
to  pay  for  a  farm,  but  it  would  take  five  years  to  raise  that  amount  out  of 
it,  while  a  Percheron  horse,  at  the  same  price,  would  pay  for  himself  in 
two  years  and  the  farm  in  two  more,  and  be  worth  more  at  that  time 
than  at  the  time  of  purchase,  while  you  would  have  the  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  you  have  been  of  untold  and  lasting  benefit  to  the  section  in 
which  you  live,  and  your  name  will  go  down  to  posterity  as  the  intro- 
ducer of  the  most  celebrated  race  of  horses  known. 


PERCIIERON  HOUSE  ASSOCIATIONS. 


A  system  of  clubbing  is  often  resorted  to  by  neighboring  farmers  to 
enable  them  to  get  the  services  of  a  Percheron  stallion  where  none  is 
kept,  on  the  basis  of  economy  and  profit. 

To  illustrate:  Five,  ten,  or  any  number  of  individuals  that  may  desire 
to  unite  on  the  purchase  of  a  horse,  get  together  and  appoint  two  or  three 
of  their  number  a  committee  to  visit  Island  Home,  with  power  to  act  in 
the  selection  and  purchase  of  a  stallion,  each  member  of  the  association 
contributing  an  equal  amount,  or  such  amount  as  may  be  agreed  upon,  the 
individual  having  a  corresponding  interest  in  the  horse;  the  services  to  be 
charged  uj)  to  each  member  of  the  company  as  they  ai'e  had,  at  a  rate 
agreed  upon,  and  usually  below  the  price  charged  to  outsiders — say  $20, 
and  $25  to  persons  not  members  of  the  club.  In  this  manner  a  good  sup- 
port is  secured  for  the  stallion,  and  often  the  entii'e  amount  of  purchase 
price  received  the  first  year,  thereby  returning  to  each  member  his  original 
investment,  giving  him  his  colts  for  nothing,  and  still  leaving  him  his 
ownership  in  the  horse  for  future  benefits  and  23i'ofits.  We  have  a  case  in 
mind  where  this  has  been  done,  and  the  two  succeeding  years  the  horse 
earned  considerably  over  his  purchase  price  each  year;  and  another  instance 
in  this  State  where  a  Percheron  stallion  has  earned  over  four  thousand 
dollars  the  past  season.  The  preceding  plan  enables  each  member,  for  a 
small  investment  or  by  becoming  responsible  with  the  other  members  of 
the  association  for  the  purchase  price  of  the  horse,  to  become  interested  in 
and  profit  by  the  breeding  of  Percheron  horses. 


JUPITER  AT  ISLAND  HOME. 


Jupiter,  the  subject  of  the  rare  and  treasured  sketch  from  which  the 
engraving  on  the  opposite  page  was  made,  deserves  more  than  passing  notice, 
and  likewise  the  engraving.  Early  last  season,  to  increase  the  popularity  of 
French  horses  in  America,  the  Percheron  Society  of  France,  under  author- 
ity of  the  French  government,  selected  six  Percheron  stallions,  the  finest 
of  the  race,  one  of  them  being  Jupiter  3692  (216),  and  appealed  to  the 
boundless  generosity  and  unwavering  patriotism  of  the  renowned  Rosa 
Bonheur,  the  most  celebrated  animal  painter  the  world  has  ever  known,  to 
sketch  them. 

Rosa  Bonheur,  never  found  wanting  in  national  pride  and  enterprise, 
and  to  lend  added  lustre  to  the  fame  of  her  beloved  Percherons,  immor- 
talized a  score  of  years  since  in  her  celebrated  painting,  "  Going  to  the 
Fair,"  undertook  the  task.  The  stallions  were  taken  to  her  chateau  and 
there  retained  until  the  sketches  were  completed,  Mr.  M.  W.  Dunham, 
from  whom  we  obtained  Jupiter,  imported  him  November,  1884,  and 
to-day  Island  Home  stud  is  graced  with  his  royal  presence. 

He  has  a  lofty  carriage,  most  elegantly  rounded  body,  unequaled  back, 
quarters  and  flank,  three  points  seldom  ever  found  in  one  animal,  all  in  a 
high  order  of  perfection.  He  stands  squarely  and  perfectly  upon  his  legs, 
which  are  very  clean  and  free  from  hair  ;  his  feet  are  the  very  best,  bis 
action  high,  easy  and  graceful.     (For  pedigree  see  page  31.) 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PEItCllKRON  RA(JE. 

BY  CHARLES  DU  HAYS. 

AUTHOR  OP   TUE    "DICTIONARY   OP   THE   PURE    RACE;"     "TROTTERS;"     "THE   ROOK   OF 

THE    RACES;"     "THE    MERLERAULL  ;"     "  THE   HORSE  BREEDER'S  GUIDE," 

ETC.,  AND   THEN   AS  NOW   OCCUPYING   A  HIGH   POSITION 

IN    THE    FRENCH   GOVERNMENT. 


The  following  history  is  quoted  from  the  work  of  the  above  author  : 

"Almost  everything  that  has  been  written  about  the  horse  may  be 
reduced  pretty  much  to  complaining  that  there  does  not  exist  a  breed 
which  unites,  in  an  elevated  degree,  high  moral  or  physical  qualities  ; 
modestly  seeking  and  teaching  the  means  of  obtaining  such  a  breed. 

"It  is  reasonable  that  such  sentiments  should  surprise  us,  here  in  the 
heart  of  France,  where,  for  a  long  time,  a  race  of  horses  has  flourished 
which  may  be  said  to  fill  the  requirements  proposed  in  every  way. 

"The  proof  of  this  statement  is  easy  :  a  hasty  sketch  of  the  principal 
characters  of  the  breed  suflices  to  furnish  it. 

"To  no  ordinary  strength,  to  vigor  that  does  not  degenerate,  and 
to  a  conformation  that  does  not  exclude  elegance,  it  joins  docility,  mild- 
ness, patience,  honesty,  great  kindness,  excellent  health,  and  a  hardy, 
elastic  temperament.  Its  movements  are  quick,  spirited  and  light.  It 
exhibits  great  endurance,  both  when  hard  worked  and  when  forced  to  main- 
tain for  a  long  time  any  of  its  natural  gaits,  and  it  possesses  the  inestima- 
ble quality  of  moving  fast  vnth  heavy  loads.  It  is  particularly  valuable 
for  its  astonishing  precocity,  and  produces  by  its  work,  as  a  two-year  old, 
more  than  the  cost  of  its  feed  and  keep.  Indeed,  it  loves  and  shoAvs  a  real 
aptness  for  labor,  which  is  the  lot  of  all.  It  knows  neither  the  whims  of 
bad  humor  nor  nervous  excitement.  It  bears  for  man,  the  companion  of 
its  labors,  an  innate  confidence,  and  expresses  to  him  a  gentle  familiarity, 
the  fruit  of  an  education  for  many  generations  in  the  midst  of  his  family. 
Women  and  children  from  whose  hands  it  is  fed  can  approach  it  without 
fear.  In  a  word,  if  I  may  speak  thus,  it  is  an  honorable  race.  It  has  that 
fine  oriental  gray  coat,  the  best  adapted  of  all  to  withstand  the  burning 
rays  of  the  sun  in  the  midst  of  the  fields — a  coat  which  pleases  the  eye, 
and  which  in  the  darkness  of  the  night  allowed  the  postilion  of  former 
times  to  see  that  he  was  not  alone — that  his  friend  was  making  his  way 
loyally  before  him.  It  is  exempt  (a  cause  of  everlasting  jealousy  among 
the  breeders  of  other  races),  always  exempt  from  the  hereditary  bony  defects 
of  the  hock,  and  where  it  is  raised,  spavin,  jardon,  bone  spavin,  periodical 
inflammation,  and  other  dreaded  infirmities,  are  not  known  even  by  name. 
"  This  truly  typical  race  would  seem  a  myth,  did  it  not  exist  in  our 
midst.  But  every  day  we  see,  every  day  we  handle  this  treasure,  the 
munificent  gift  of  Providence  to  this  favored  region,  to  cause  agriculture, 


12  SAVAGE    &    FARNUM  S    CATALOGUE 

that  '  nursing  mother,'  to  flourish,  and  with  agriculture  peace  and  abun- 
dance. 

"I  need  not  name  this  breed  ;  every  one,  from  this  incomplete  sketch, 
has  recognized  the  fine  race  of  steady  and  laborious  horses  bred  in  the 
ancient  province  of  Perche  (so  justly  entitled  Perche  of  good  horses),  plow- 
ing in  long  furrows  the  soil  of  Beauce,  and  thence  spreading  itself  over  all 
France,  where  its  qualities  render  it  without  a  rival  for  all  the  specialties 
of  rapid  draft. 

"  That  cool,  restrained  and  ever  fresh  energy,  that  courageous  patience 
of  which  the  Percheron,  every  day,  gives  an  example,  dragging,  at  a  trot, 
heavy  loads,  the  weight  of  which  frightens  the  imagination  ;  stopping 
short,  both  in  ascending  or  descending  ;  starting  off  freely,  and  always 
without  balking  ;  never  sulking  at  his  work  or  food,  and  fearing  neither 
heat  nor  cold.  He  remains  exclusively  both  the  quick  and  mettlesome 
draft  horse,  and  the  heavy  burden  and  express  wagon  horse.  He  jDossesses 
supei'ior  strength,  speed,  docility,  temper  and  honesty,  and  a  complete 
absence  of  irritability.     This  is  a  specimen  of  Percheron  qualities. 

"Hence  it  is  that  all  our  provinces  envy  us  the  possession  of  the  race, 
and  even  foreign  countries  seek  after  it  with  an  eagerness  amounting  to  a 
passion. 

"The  prices  of  these  stallions  have  increased  so  rapidly  in  a  few  years 
that  they  have  tripled  and  quadrupled.  Accordingly,  the  possessors  sold 
them.  The  administrative  authorities,  aided  by  the  elite  of  the  proprie- 
tors, endeavored,  however,  to  hinder  this  immigration.  They  formed  a 
stud-stable  at  Bonneval.  Prizes  were  given  at  Mortagne,  Nogent-le- 
Rotrou,  Illiers,  and  Vendome.  But  an  end  was  arrived  at  contrary  to 
what  was  desired.  The  prizes  served  as  signs  to  the  dealers.  Perche  was 
visited  to  buy  first-class  horses.     What  surer  guarantee  than  the  prize  ? 

"  The  breeder,  who  is  ordinarily  a  farmer,  not  sufficiently  rich  to  be 
beyond  temptation,  finds  himself  without  strength,  without  resistance  in 
presence  of  this  urgent  demand. 

"The  value  of  the  Percheron  is  more  evident  than  ever.  It  is  this, 
among  the  serviceable  races,  which  is  called  to  the  greatest  fortune.  His 
usefulness  causes  him  to  be  everywhere  in  demand." 

DESCKIPTIOlSr  OF  THE  PERCHE. 

"The  Department  of  Perche  is  too  well  known  to  need  a  description 
here.  We  will  limit  ourselves  to  the  remark  that  this  region,  which  has 
become  so  celebrated  for  its  fine  race  of  horses,  represents  an  ellipse  of 
about  25  leagues  long  by  nearly  20  broad. 

"At  the  present  time,  enclosed  in  the  center  of  the  four  departments, 
Oi'ne,  Eure  and  Loir,  Loir  and  Cher,  and  Sarthe,  the  territory  of  Perche 
comprises  the  following  divisions  : 

"  1st — The  district  of  Mortagne  (department  of  Orne). 

"  2d — The  district  of  Nogent-le-Rotrou,  and  a  portion  of  those  of 
Chartres,  Dreux  and  Chateaudum  (department  of  Eure  and  Loir). 

"  3d — All  the  western  side  of  the  district  of  Vendome  (department  of 
Loir  and  Cher). 

"  4th — The  eastern  portion  of  the  districts  of  Mamers  and  Saint  Calais 
(department  of  Sarthe). 

"It  is  the  summit  region  of  the  middle  portion  of  the  vast  plateau 
extending  between  the  sea  and  the  basins  of  the  Loire  and  the  Seine.  It 
is  here  that  the  rivers  Sarthe,  Huisne,  Eure,  Loire,  Iten,  Hoene,  Braye, 


PERCHERON    HORSES.  13 

Awe,  Commanche  and  Percheron  Orne  take  their  source,  springing  up 
from  the  same  plateau  and  crossing  it  on  their  way  to  the  channel  and  the 
ocean. 

"The  country  is,  in  general,  uneven  and  hilly,  cut  up  in  every  direc- 
tion by  small  valleys  watered  by  springs  or  small  brooks  flowing  into  the 
rivers  above  named.  All  these  valleys,  no  matter  of  what  extent,  are  natu- 
ral meadows,  and  the  most  of  them  rich  and  fertile.  The  finest  valley  is 
that  watered  by  the  Iluisne,  which  is  second  to  none  in  France  for  length, 
extent,  richness,  and  beauty  of  site.  Here  are  situated  Nogent-le-Rotrou, 
Conde,  Regmalard,  Boissy,  Corbon,  Mauves,  Pin-la-Garenne,  Reveillon, 
etc.,  etc. — all  centers  renowned  for  the  beauty  of  their  horses. 

"The  land  is  generally  clayey,  lying  upon  a  calcareous  subsoil  of  the 
secondary  formation.  Some  portions  are  silicious;  the  high  and  hilly 
points  always  so. 

"The  Percheron  country  contains  rather  few  meadows,  in  proportion 
to  the  total  surface  of  the  soil,  and  to  this  circumstance,  probably,  is  due 
the  superiority  of  its  horses.  Here  the  rearing  takes  place  in  the  stable 
and  thie  brood-mare  is  found  under  the  hand  of  the  breeder.  Making  use 
of  her  comes  naturally  to  his  mind.     He  v)orks  and  feeds  them  well. 

"Here,  for  many  years,  agriculture  has  flourished;  artificial  meadows 
are  everywhere  cultivated  with  success,  and  are  necessary  to  produce  the 
enormous  quantity  of  fodder  consumed  by  the  number  of  horses  raised. 

"Among  the  plants  for  green  and  dry  forage,  clover  first  and  then 
fenugreek,  are  the  favorites  of  the  Percheron  farmer.  He  uses  plaster  and 
marl  with  care,  and  would  tell  you,  should  the  opportunity  offer,  that  it  is 
through  system  and  superior  cultivation  that  Perche  has  been  able  hitherto 
to  meet  the  large  demands  made  upon  her  from  the  commencement  of  the 
present  century,  particularly  for  the  last  fifty  years.  He  is,  moreover, 
laborious  and  persevering.  Disregarding  the  industrial  arts,  the  glory  of 
other  districts,  his  true  vocation,  his  favorite  occupation,  is  cultivating  the 
ground  and  raising  horses,  which  he  has  practiced  with  zeal  from  the  most 
remote  period. 

"  Perche  has  a  climate  eminently  favorable  to  horse-breeding.  Under 
its  influence  the  water  is  tonic  and  the  food  nutritious;  the  air  is  pure, 
bracing,  and  di-yer  than  that  of  Normandy.  The  sea  is  farther  off,  and  its 
influence,  in  consequence,  is  less  felt. 

"Everybody  to-day  well  knows  the  influence  of  climate  u^^on  animals. 
No  one  now  any  longer  doubts  that  it  is  to  the  sharp  and  healthy  air  of 
the  Perche  country,  to  its  elevated  hills,  and  to  its  atmosphere  constantly 
renewed  by  the  powerful  ventilators  of  its  valleys  and  forests,  that  this 
country  owes  the  eminent  qualities  of  its  fine  race  of  horses,  which  has  won 
for  it  the  right  of  displaying  this  significant  title, .' Perche,  the  land  of 
good  horses.' 

"  The  excellent  care,  the  wise  management, — exempt  alike  from  pam- 
pering indulgence  and  from  the  harsh  treatment  which  irritate  the  dispo- 
sition, and  from  which  the  good  teacher  never  departs  in  his  intercourse 
with  his  pupils, — contribute  a  great  deal  to  the  success  of  the  result." 

omarN"  of  the  percheron  race. 

"The  Percheron  race  comes  from  the  Arab;  but  it  is  useful  to  know 
the  causes  which  have  separated  it  from  the  primitive  type.  How  has  it 
been  modified  ?  How  has  it  lost  the  Arabian  character,  in  which  it  must 
have  been  at  first  clothed  ?     A  large  number  of  the  French  races  have  been 


14  SAVAGE    &    FARNUM's    CATALOGUE 

even  more  pi'ofoundly  modified,  and  have  become  abject,  miserable,  puny 
and  misshapen.  All  equine  races  have  been  changed  by  the  effects  of  cli- 
mate, by  the  extinction  of  the  feudal  system,  and  by  the  inauguration  of 
peaceful  habits  which  have  made  an  agricultural  and  draft-horse  of  the 
horse  primitively  used  for  the  saddle  and  for  war. 

"  From  the  time  of  the  Roman  domination,  the  horse  in  his  oriental 
forms  was  particularly  prized  in  Perche. 

"Under  the  feudal  rule,  and  inhabited  by  tenants  ever  at  war,  Perche 
must  always  have  been  an  equestrian  country,  and  the  horse  must  have 
been  there  in  every  age  the  companion  of  man.  He  must  have  been  really 
a  first-class  necessity.  In  those  times  of  continued  war  and  hostile  sur- 
prises, what  property  was  more  movable  and  so  easily  taken  to  a  place  of 
safety?  How  glorious  the  jDossession  of  such  noble  coursers,  and  like  the 
Rotrous,  to  own  more  than  could  be  counted,  as  was  proudly  shown  by  the 
heraldic  chevrons  upon  their  broad  banners,  displayed  from  the  towers  of 
Mortagne  and  Nogent ! 

"La  Perche,  like  all  Christian  countries,  fui-nished,  as  is  well  known, 
her  contingent  of  fighting  men  to  the  'Crusades,  and  the  chronicles  cite 
several  Counts  of  Bellesmer,  Mortagne  and  Nogent,  barons  and  gentlemen 
of  that  province,  who,  with  many  of  their  vassals,  made  pilgrimages  to  the 
Holy  Land. 

"  The  Abbe  Faet,  in  his  great  work  upon  La  Perche,  cites  in  this  con- 
nection a  lord  of  Montdoubleau,  Geffroy  IV.,  and  Rotrou,  Count  of  La 
Perche,  as  having  brought  back  from  Palestine  several  stallions,  which 
were  put  to  mares,  and  the  progeny  most  carefully  preserved.  The  small 
number  of  the  sires,  their  incomparable  beauty  and  manifest  superiority 
must  have  led  to  the  in-and-in  breeding  so  much  depi'ecated  by  most 
breeders;  but  the  qualities  of  the  sires  became  indelibly  fixed  upon  their 
progeny. 

"  The  lord  of  Montdoubleau  was,  it  is  said,  the  most  zealous  of  the 
advocates  and  breeders  of  the  new  blood,  and,  being  the  most  zealous,  was 
the  most  successful;  hence  it  is  that  the  Montdoubleau  stock  is  to  this  day 
the  best  in  Perche.  The  Count  Roger,  of  Bellesmer,  imported  both 
Arabian  and  Spanish  horses,  as  did  Goroze,  the  lord  of  Saint  Cerney,  Cour- 
ville  and  Courseroult;  these  are  historical  facts  which  have  their  import- 
ance. The  fact  is,  the  crusaders  from  all  the  French  provinces  naturally 
brought  back  with  them  more  or  less  of  the  Eastern  blood,  which  they  had 
learned  to  appreciate  on  the  plains  of  Palestine — but  the  truth  is,  it  has  not 
been  preserved  elsewhere;  and  that  we  in  I!a  Perche,  after  so  many  cen- 
turies, should  be  so  fortunate  as  to  be  able  to  show  the  traces  of  it,  should 
stimulate  us  to  its  careful  preservation. 

"We  see  toward  1760,  under  the  administration  of  the  Marquis  of 
Briddges,  manager  of  the  stables  of  Pin,  all  the  large  number  of  Arab 
stallions  that  this  establishment  owned  were  put  at  the  disposition  of  the 
Count  of  Mallart,  for  use  at  his  mare-stables  of  Coesme,  near  Bellesmer; 
and  years  after  we  find,  at  the  same  chateau  of  Coesme,  the  grandsons  of 
those  old  admirers  of  the  Arabian  with  two  Arab  stallions,  '  Godolphin  ' 
and  '  Gallipoli,'  both  of  which  proved  valuable  stock-getters — both  grey — 
which  once  more  gave  tone  and  ardor  to  the  Percheron  race  in  that  vicinity. 

"A  direct  descendant  of  Gallipoli,  the  renowned  '  Jean-le-Blanc'  of  M. 
Miard,  of  Villers,  near  Sap,  in  the  department  of  the  Orne,  etc.,  etc.,  placed 
alongside  of  an  Arab,  presented,  notwithstanding  his  heavier  and  grosser 
form,  analogies  with  him  so  striking  that  our  curiosity  was  excited,  and  we 
did  not  rest  until,  after  pressing  inquiry  upon  inquiry,  we  discovered  that 


PBRCHERON    HORSES.  15 

he  was  descended  from  this  famous  Arab  stallion.  This  horse,  Jean-le- 
Blanc,  was  the  most  potent  improving  agent  of  Ouclie. 

"The  Percheron  of  the  primitive  type  has  a  gray  coat  like  the  Arab; 
and  like  him  an  abundant  and  silky  mane,  a  fine  skin,  and  a  large,  promi- 
nent and  expressive  eye;  a  broad  forehead,  dilated  nostrils,  and  a  full  and 
deep  chest,  although  the  girth,  with  him  as  with  the  Arab,  is  always  lack- 
ing in  fullness;  more  bony  and  leaner  limbs,  and  less  covered  with  hair 
than  those  of  other  draft-horse  families. 

"He  has  not,  it  is  true,  the  fine  haunch  and  fine  form  of  the  shoulder, 
nor  that  swan-like  neck  which  distinguishes  the  Arab  ;  but  it  must  not  be 
forgotten  that  for  ages  he  has  been  employed  for  draft  purposes,  and  these 
habits  have  imparted  to  his  bony  frame  an  anatomical  structure,  a  combi- 
nation of  levers  adapted  to  the  work  he  is  called  upon  to  perform.  He  has 
not,  I  again  acknowledge,  such  a  fine  skin  as  the  Arab,  nor  his  prettily 
rounded,  oval  and  small  foot ;  but  we  must  remember  the  fact  that  he  lives 
under  a  cold  climate,  upon  elevated  plains,  where  nature  gives  him  for  a 
covering  a  thicker  skin  and  a  warmer  coat,  and  that  he  has  been  for  ages 
stepping  upon  a  moist,  clayey  soil. 

"In  all  that  remains  in  him,  we  recognize  a  heavy  Arab,  modified  and 
remodeled  by  climate  and  peculiar  circumstances.  He  has  remained  mild 
and  laborious,  like  his  sire  ;  he  is  brought  up,  like  him,  in  the  midst  of  the 
family,  and,  like  him,  he  possesses,  in  a  very  high  degree,  the  faculty  of 
easy  acclimation.  He  acquires  this  in  the  midst  of  the  numerous  migra- 
tions he  accomplishes  in  Perche,  the  counterpart  of  those  that  the  type 
horse  makes  upon  the  sands  of  the  desert.  A  final  comparison,  which  has 
not,  as  yet,  been  sufficiently  noticed,  is,  that,  like  the  Arab,  he  has  no  need 
of  being  mutilated  in  order  to  be  trained,  managed  and  kept  without 
danger.  In  a  word,  the  Percheron,  notwithstanding  the  ages  which  separ- 
ate them,  presents  an  affinity  as  close  as  possible  with  the  primitive  horse, 
which  is  the  Ai'ab." 

BREEDING  BY  SELECTIOJST. 

"Selection  has  long  been  practiced  in  Perche,  and  it  has  there  pro- 
duced for  a  long  time  the  best  results. 

"  Breeding  by  selection  has  numerous  advocates,  and,  from  all  time, 
the  best  informed,  the  most  practical  men,  have  been  unanimous  in  proclaim- 
ing that  blood  is  only  preserved  and  improved  by  blood — that  is  to  say,  by 
selection.  It  is  easy  and  not  expensive,  inasmuch  as  the  necessary  subjects 
are  always  at  hand  ;  it  is  natural,  inasmuch  as  its  simplicity  is  apparent  to 
every  mind.  And,  if  it  does  not  bring  the  rapid  results  so  pleasing  to 
those  too  eager  for  profit,  it  is,  at  least,  always  sure.  For,  without  giving 
at  first  exceptional  results,  it  never  fails  in  its  effects,  by  reason  of  the 
affinity  existing  between  the  different  individuals,  and  by  reason  especially 
of  their  perfect  conformity  with  the  climate  and  soil. 

"  If  a  horse  is  remarkable  over  all  others  in  one  of  the  three  following 
ways  :  personal  beauty,  high  qualities,  or  sureness  of  reproduction,  go  back 
boldly  to  his  origin,  and  you  will  find  yourself,  at  each  step,  face  to  face 
with  close  inter-breeding — that  is  to  say,  the  reforming  of  a  race  by  means 
of  itself,  the  result  of  great  qualities  increased  b)^  drafts  made  at  the 
source  of  a  generous  blood. 

"The  thoroughbred  race  in  England,  which  has  been  formed  but  with 
a  very  limited  number  of  primitive  agents,  and  which,  consequently,  soon 
became  consanguine,  has,  anew,  and  at  two  distinct  epochs,  absorbed,  in 
every  degree  and  repeatedly,  the  blood  of  two  famous  groups,  represented, 


16  SAVAGE    &    PABNUM's    CATALOGUE 

the  first  by  'Byerly  Turk,'  'Darley  Arabian,' and  '  Godolpbin  Arabian;' 
the  second  by  '  Matchem,'  '  Herod,'  and  '  Eclipse.'  At  the  present  moment 
it  maintains  itself,  thanks  to  a  universal  consangninity,  and  everything 
good  which  exists,  by  going  back  inevitably  to  these  sole  progenitors,  now 
forms  but  one  and  the  same  family.  Magnificent  results  have  come 
from  these  alliances,  and  every  day  it  can  be  proved  that  this  blood  has 
not  degenerated. 

"It  is,  especially  and  only,  in  the  reproduction  by  family  that  a  breed 
is  formed.  Consanguinity  alone  can  form,  in  the  beginning,  a  bond  of 
cohesion  and  connection  among  the  descendants  of  the  primitive  families. 
By  it,  alone,  they  acquire  that  great  similarity  of  shape  and  adaptation  to 
particular  ends,  that  great  ancestral  power,  which  they  transmit  to  their 
posterity,  and  which,  even  in  a  commercial  point  of  view,  gives  them  a 
superior  value, 

"  It  is  the  same  in  all  breeding  countries,  and  it  has  been  shown  (for 
proofs  see  the  journal  'La  vie  a  la  campagne,'  of  November  30,  1863)  that 
especially  in  Merlerault,  the  nursery  of  the  fine  French  breeds,  everything 
exceptionally  good  which  exists,  or  which  has  existed,  is  the  result  of  con- 
sanguinity— that  is,  'in-and-in-breeding.' 

"A  stud  book,  recording  its  pedigrees,  would  not  be  out  of  place.  This 
book  would  have  the  effect  of  concentrating  the  efforts  of  all  the  breeders, 
giving  them  a  definite  direction,  and  would  give  increased  value  to  the 
breed,  as  is  easily  understood,  for  it  is  the  surest  of  all  the  means  of 
improvement  and  perpetuation  of  valuable  qualities.  It  would  drive  off, 
forever,  the  defective  stallions,  and  those  corrupted  with  hereditary  blem- 
ishes, as  well  as  those  coming  from  tainted  families,  which,  I  feel  sure, 
would  be  refused  a  record  in  its  pages.  The  prices  of  colts  would  like- 
wise gain  by  this  measure,  the  effect  being  a  powerful  impulse  given  to 
breeding." 

COLOR. 

"Formerly  I  liked  the  gray  horse  very  much,  and  have  more  than  once 
praised  this  color.     But  time  has  dissipated  my  illusions. 

"Thus,  while  acknowledging  ray  former  preferences  for  the  gray  horse 
over  the  horse  of  a  different  shade,  I  am  now  very  far  from  showing 
myself  exclusive,  and  quarreling  with  the  mass  of  enlightened  persons  who 
seem  desirous  of  adopting  the  dark-colored  coats.  I  only  desire  oue  thing, 
and  that  is,  to  save  the  Percheron  race,  and  to  preserve  to  Perche  its  pros- 
perity and  its  glory. 

"  Let  us  occupy  ourselves,  then,  seriously  in  looking  up  breeding  stock 
of  dark  coats.  The  time  to  do  this  appeai-s  to  me  to  have  come.  But 
where  will  we  go  to  find  them  ?  Let  us  look  about  us  and  seek  for  this  in 
Perche. 

"If  you  there  find  under  a  dark  coat,  a  fine  Percheron,  possessing  all 
the  qualities  and  specialties  of  the  race,  make  haste,  take  him  and  color 
your  horses.     Sincerely,  I  give  you  this  advice. 

"  Correct  the  defects  of  conformation,  the  imperfections  of  color, 
without  weakening,  without  breaking  up  the  harmony  of  the  admirable 
qualities  which  have  made  of  the  Percheron  the  first  horse  of  the  age." 

SPEED  AND  BNDUBANCE  OF  THE  PEEOHEKOIf. 

"  One  of  the  qualities  of  this  breed  of  horses,  and  which  has  acquired 
for  them  a  universal  reputation,  is  fast  trotting  while  drawing  a  heavy 
load;  but  it  would  be  an  error  to  suppose  that  this  ability  to  trot  fast 
makes  him  an  equal  in  every  respect  to  the  trotting  breeds  of  the  present 


BUFFON  2389  (109§).     (For  pedigree  see  page  38.) 


PERCIIERON    HORSES.  19 

day.  The  trotters  draw  very  little,  but  have  a  long  stride;  and  as  regards 
mere  speed,  there  is  no  comparison.  The  specialty  of  the  Percheron — 
rapid  draft — has  its  limits,  and  it  is  these  limits  that  I  wish  to  make  known 
by  numerous  examples  officially  reported.  What  the  Percherons  do  in  the 
diligences,  mail  and  post-coaches,  is  known  to  every  foreign  traveler,  and 
it  is  useless  to  enlarge  upon  it.  From  one  relay  to  another,  drawing  not 
less  than  two  and  often  three  thousand  pounds,  in  all  kinds  of  weather, 
over  hilly  roads,  they  make  their  three  leagues  an  hour,  and  sometimes 
four,  but  this  is  ne  plus  ultra.  What  they  do  in  the  omnibuses,  the  world 
that  visits  Paris  sees  only  to  admire,  and  forms  one  of  the  greatest  attrac- 
tions of  the  Percheron  horse  to  the  observing  stranger. 

"  We  will  now  turn  our  attention  to  the  trials  made  upon  their  trotting 
tracks.  The  places  most  frequented  are  those  of  lUiers,  C'ourtalain,  Mont- 
doubleau  and  Mortagne;  and  in  order  to  be  impartial  it  is  necessary  to 
state  that  the  tracks,  all  but  the  one  at  Mortagne,  are  plowed  fields,  hard 
in  dry  weather,  but  cut  up  in  wet  times,  and  that  the  track  at  Montague  is 
badly  located,  having  three  steep  inclines  up  and  down  inside  of  the  mile, 
and  the  horses  that  have  done  best  elsewhere  have  failed  on  this  track,  and 
it  has  taken  a  longer  time  to  go  the  distance.  To  this  circumstance  is 
attributed  the  low  averages  made  upon  that  track,  but  it  also  shows  the 
courage  of  the  animals.  When  a  colt  of  two  and  a  half  years  of  age — 
there  were  sevei'al  of  this  age — can  accomplish  his  task  by  going  two  or 
three  times  around  this  ti-ack,  there  is  a  reasonable  certainty  of  there  being 
the  elements  in  him  for  the  making  of  a  valuable  horse.  The  most  of  the 
horses  are  trotted  under  the  saddle,  as  their  vehicles  are  of  the  most  cum- 
bersome character,  and  utterly  unfitted  to  trot  a  horse  in. 

"The  following  shows  the  results  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine 
matches  officially  reported,  and  two  trials  to  prove  bottom,  likewise  certi- 
fied to,  and  will  give  an  average  of  what  the  best  Percherons  are  capable 
of  doing. 

"  In  order  to  be  strictly  impartial,  the  slowest  and  fastest  time  made 
is  given  : 

"  UNDER  THE  SADDLE ONE  AND  ONE-FOURTH  MILES TWENTY-NINE  RESULTS. 

"The  best  two  are  those  of  'Jule,'  at  Montdoubleau — time,  3  min.  50 
sec,  and  of  'Godius,'  at  the  same  place,  in  1857 — time,  3  min.  58  sec. 

"  The  poorest  two  results  are  those  of  '  Vidocq,'  at  Mortagne — time,  7 
min.  37  sec,  and  of  'Lansquernet,'  same  place — time,  7  min.  48  sec 

"  The  average  time  of  twenty-nine  recorded  trials  is  4  min.  12  sec. 

"one    and    five-sixths    MILES THIRTY-ONE    RESULTS. 

"The  best  two  are  those  of  ' Vaillante,'"at  Montagne — time,  4  min.  38 
sec,  and  'Julie,'  at  Montdoubleau — time,  6  min.,  14  sec. 

"The  poorest  two  are  those  of  '  Mouche,'  at  Mortagne — time,  9  min. 
18  sec,  and  of  '  Biche,'  same  place — time,  8  min.  30  sec. 

"  The  average  time  of  thirty-one  trials,  6  min.  40  sec. 

"two    miles FORTY    RESULTS. 

"The  best  two  are  those  of  '  Cocotte,'  at  lUiers — time,  6  min.  54^  sec, 
and  '  Sarah,'  same  place — time,  6  min.  2  sec. 

"The  two  poorest  are  those  of  'Balzane,'at  Illiers — time,  9  min.  40 
sec,  and  of  'Renaud,'  same  place — time,  10  min.  30  sec. 

"  The  averasce  time  of  40  trials  is  about  7  min.  20  sec 


20  SAVAGE    &    TARNUm's    CATALOGUE 

"  TWO    AND    A    HALE    MILES SIXTY-FIVE    RESULTS. 

"  The  best  two  are  those  of  '  Sarah,'  at  Langou — time,  7  min.  35  sec, 
and  same  at  Mortagne — time  7  min.  40  sec. 

"The  poorest  are  those  of  '  Marmotte,'  at  Mortagne — time,  13  min., 
26  sec,  and  of  'Julie,'  at  Courtalain — time,  11  min.  30  sec. 

"Average  time  of  sixty-five  trials,  9  min.  15  sec 

"Two  and  three-fifths  miles  were  made  at  llliers  by  'Bichette,'  in  12 
min.  15  sec. 

"Two  and  five-sixths  miles  were  made  by  same,  at  same  place,  and 
gave  an  average  of  11  min.  30  sec,  in  three  successive  heats. 

"Three  and  two-fifths  miles  were  made  by  'Champion,'  at  llliers,  in 
12  min. 

"  HORSES    TO    HARNESS TWO    MILES EIGHT    RESULTS. 

"The  best  two  are  those  of  'Achilla,'  at  llliers — time,  7  min.  17  sec, 
and  'Julie,'  same  place — time,  7  min.  40|-  sec. 

"The  poorest  two  are  those  of  '  Championette,'  at  llliers — time  7  min. 
53  sec,  and  'Bichette,'  same  place — time,  8  min.  13  sec 

"  The  average  of  eight  trials  is  about  7  min.  36  sec. 

"two    and    a    half    MILES FOURTEEN    RESULTS. 

"  The  best  two  are  those  of  '  VigoreGx,'  at  llliers — time,  8  min.  30  sec, 
and  '  Bibe,'  at  Mortagne — time,  9  min.  54  sec 

"The  poorest  two  are  those  of  'Bichette,'  at  Courtalain,  in  11  min.  30 
seCj  and  of  'Artagan,'  at  Mortagne,  in  11  min.  55  sec 

"two    and    three-fifths    miles LOADED. 

"Two  trials  were  made  at  Rouen,  by  'Decide,'  the  first  drawing  386 
pounds  in  9  min.  21  sec,  the  second  time  drawing  408  pounds  in  10  min. 
49  sec 

"  trials  of  endurance  and  speed. 

"A  gray  mare,  bred  by  M.  Boulavois,  at  Almeneches  (Orne),  and 
belonging  to  M.  Montreauil,  horse  dealer  at  Alencon,  performed  the  follow- 
ing match:  Harnessed  to  a  traveling-tilbury,  she  started  from  Bernay  to 
go  to  Alencon,  a  distance  of  fifty-five  and  three-fifths  miles,  over  a  hilly 
and  difficult  road,  reaching  there  in  4  hours  and  24  min.  This  mare  is  still 
living,  and  now  belongs  to  M.  Biuson,  hotel-keeper  at  Lees  (Orne),  where 
she  still  draws  the  omnibus  plying  between  the  hotel  and  station. 

"A  gray  mare  seven  years  old,  belonging  to  M.  Cousturur,  at  Fleury 
sur  Andelle  (Eure),  harnessed  to  a  tilbury,  traveled  fifty-eight  miles  and 
back  on  two  consecutive  days,  going  at  a  trot  and  without  being  touched 
with  a  whip.  This  was  over  the  road  from  Lyons  la  Fossette  to  Point 
Andmere  and  back,  through  a  hilly  country.  The  following  time  was 
made:  The  first  day  the  distance  was  trotted  in  4  hours  1  min.  35  sec,  the 
second  day,  4  hours,  1  min.  30  sec.  The  last  thirteen  and  three-fourths 
miles  were  made  in  one  hour,  although  the  mare  was  obliged  to  pass  her 
stable  at  the  forty-first  mile  to  finish  the  distance." 

The  foregoing  history  of  the  Percheron  race  will  give  the  reader  an 
idea  of  the  origin,  development  and  status  of  the  breed  as  it  exists  in 
France.  Although  recognized  there  as  the  superior  of  all  other  draft 
breeds  in  that  country,  the  preservation  of  its  pedigrees  and  the  publica- 
tion of  a  stud  book  will  add  greatly  to  its  value. 


PLUVIOSE  3755  (683).    (See  page  33.) 


PEKCHERON    HORSES.  23 


THE  PAST  AND  PRESENT  SYSTEM  OF  BREEDING 
IN  THE  PEIICHE. 


The  following  extract,  quoted  from  the  writings  of  M.  Fardouet,  one 
of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  breeders  of  the  Perche,  and  which  is 
fully  corroborated  by  a  careful  perusal  of  history,  confines  its  modifications 
to  meet  the  present  developments  of  the  changed  condition  of  the  country 
to  three  periods  of  existence. 

First — To  horses  suitable  for  the  saddle  and  for  war. 

Second — For  agricultural  and  commercial  interests. 

Third — The  period  when  the  heavy  draft-horse,  with  the  activity  of 
the  lighter  types,  came  into  active  demand,  which  began  about  fifty  years 
ago.     He  says  : 

"This  matchless  breed,  whose  antiquity  of  origin  stands  first  among 
those  of  the  equine  races  of  civilized  nations,  has  been  molded  to  meet  the 
necessities  of  the  different  periods  of  its  existence,  for  hundreds  of  years 
under  the  vivifying  influences  and  climatic  effects  of  the  Perche,  as  well 
as  by  the  inimitable  processes  of  educating  both  males  and  females  from 
the  eai'liest  age,  and  with  the  most  judicious  care  possible,  by  the  actual 
performance  of  the  work  they  will  be  called  upon  to  do  during  their  lives, 
thus  slowly  and  surely  developing  their  physical  capabilities  and  instinctive 
aptitudes  into  hereditary  and  transmissible  forces,  which  have  been 
exerted  with  such  potent  power  in  the  amelioration  of  all  races  with  which 
it  has  come  in  contact. 

"  In  feudal  ages  the  country  required  a  class  of  horses  suited  to  an 
equestrian  race,  and  the  Perche sup])lied  them.  With  the  advent  of  a  higher 
civilization,  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture  and  commerce  demanded 
horses  for  the  post,  the  diligence,  and  for  agricultural  and  draft  purposes. 
The  Perche  urns  called  upon,  and  she  met  the  demand. 

"  The  application  of  steam  as  a  motive  power  introduced  a  new  era  in 
the  world's  history  ;  the  building  of  railroads  and  steamships,  and  its 
adoption  as  a  power  in  all  the  useful  arts  in  manufacturing,  has  changed  all. 

"  The  post  and  diligence  are  gone  ;  the  agricultural  and  great  commer- 
cial marts  remain  to  be  supplied  ;  labor  and  food  have  become  more  costly, 
and  the  people,  by  force  of  necessity  and  the  demands  of  economy,  call 
for  larger,  stronger  and  equally  active  horses  to  fill  the  requirements  of  the 
time.  How  has  the  Perche  sustained  herself  under  the  pressure  of  this  last 
and  most  difficult  demand  ?  The  answer  fills  us  with  pride  and  gratifica- 
tion. The  government  and  all  the  departments  of  France  are  eager  pur- 
chasers of  Percheron  stallions  to  improve  and  ameliorate  their  native 
breeds.  Russia,  Austria,  Germany  and  Italy  buy  largely,  both  by  direct 
government  purchase  and  by  private  enterprise.  Even  Great  Britain, 
bound  up  as  she  is  in  her  own  egotism,  is  a  customer  of  no  small  magnitude. 

''With  such  magnificent  acknowledgments  of  the  value  and  superiority 
of  the  Percheron  race  we  ought  to  be  content,  but  this  is  not  the  half  ;  the 
plains  of  South   America  are  being  supplied  with  stock  of  our  breeding, 


24  SAVAGE    &    FAR]SrUM  S    CATALOGUE 

and  lastly,  that  beautiful  country,  that  gi'eat  i*epublie  across  the  sea,  whose 
progress  is  the  wonder  of  the  world,  is  our  most  enamored  admirer  and 
liberal  purchaser. 

"Investigation  has  shown  us  that  the  improvements  of  the  past  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  changing  demands  have  been  accomplished  by  selecting 
animals  best  suited  to  the  new  requirements,  and  by  a  judicious  system  of 
in-and-in-breeding,  perpetuating  the  valuable  qualities  sought  for,  at  the 
same  time  intensifying  their  hereditary  powers  of  transmitting  those  qual- 
ities ;  also,  that  the  finest  specimens  of  the  Percheron  race  now  in  exist- 
ence are  traceable  directly  to  the  regenerative  influences  of  the  Arab,  the 
primitive  horse — the  primal  origin  of  the  Percheron  race. 

"  The  veteran  historian  and  faithful  friend  of  the  Percheron,  Charles 
Du  Hays,  many  years  ago  advocated  these  doctrines,  and  it  is  certainly  a 
most  extraordinary  commentary  upon  the  discernment  and  knowledge  of 
horse-breeding  possessed  by  this  famous  author,  that  'Jean  le  Blanc,' 
the  horse  that  so  greatly  excited  his  admiration  that  he  took  the  pains 
to  trace  his  oi'igin,  and  found  him  a  direct  descendant  of  the  famous 
Arab  stallion  '  Gallipoli,'  belonging  to  the  stud  stables  of  Pin,  near 
Bellesme,  established  by  the  Marquis  of  Brigges  in  the  year  1760,  has 
pi'oven  the  most  potent  element  in  the  improvement  of  the  Percheron  race, 
nearly  all  of  the  most  valuable  and  highest  priced  stallions  of  the  Perche 
being  directly  traceable  to  this  horse,  many  of  the  finest  through  several 
lines  of  in-breeding." 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  finest  and  most  valuable  Percherons — in 
which  is  preserved  the  style,  quality  and  finish  of  the  oi'iginal  type,  with 
the  increased  weight  now  demanded,  can  only  be  found  in  individuals 
descended  from  animals  of  Arab  origin,  increased  in  size  by  selecting  the 
largest  males  and  females  and  a  judicious  system  of  in-breeding. 

This  has  i-esulted  in  a  close  relationship  of  all  the  finest  Percheron 
families  of  the  present  time  which  are  owned  by  the  most  progressive  and 
successful  breeders  and  stallioners  in  the  Perche,  and  only  in  whose  posses- 
sion the  finest  individuals  can  be  found,  in  which  the  same  blood  is  traceable 
for  ages. 

The  valuable  qualities  possessed  by  these  animals,  that  have  been  con- 
centrated for  generations  through  a  cai-ef ul  system  of  in-and-in-breeding, 
is  the  great  source  of  reliance  upon  which  we  depend  for  their  prepotency, 
or  the  capability  of  transmitting  with  absolute  certainty  the  valuable 
qualities  of  their  race — a  power  never  possessed  by  animals  of  mixed  blood. 


VERT  OAL.L.ANT  3550  (2464).    (For  pedigree  see  page  35.) 


PERCHERON    HORSES.  27 


NOTED  PEROHEROI^  SIRES. 


coco  II  (714). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheroa  Stud  Book  of  France.] 

Dapple  gray;  foaled  1857;  bred  in  the  department  of  the  Orne.  Got 
by  Vieux  Chaslin  (713)  (belonging  to  Mr.  Theodore  Vinault,  of  La  Ferte 
Bernard,  department  of  the  Sarthe),  he  by  Coco  (712)  (belonging  to  Mr. 
Chounard,  then  residing  at  Champeau,  department  of  Eure  and  Loir),  he 
by  Mignon  (715)  (belonging  to  Mr.  Poilpre,  of  Montmirail,  Sarthe),  he  by 
Jean  Le  Blanc  (739),  he  being  a  direct  descendant  of  the  famous  Arab 
stallion  Gallipoli,  that  stood  at  the  stud  stables  of  Pin,  near  Bellesme,  about 
1820.  Coco  II  was  purchased  when  a  colt  by  Mr.  Vinault,  of  La  Ferte 
Bernard,  who  kept  him  until  his  death.  This  stallion  attained  greater  fame 
than  any  other  horse  bred  in  the  Perche,  not  only  through  his  noble  ances- 
try, but  from  his  great  individual  merit  as  a  stock  getter.  His  grandsire 
Coco  (712)  was  bred  by  Mr.  Poilpre,  of  Montmirail,  Sarthe,  who  sold  him, 
when  a  sucking  colt,  to  Mr.  Chounard,  who  bred  from  him  the  famous 
stallion  Vieux  Chaslin  (713).  The  dam  of  Coco  (712)  w^as  Jeanette  by 
Vieux  Coco,  belonging  to  Mr.  Poilpre.  The  dam  of  Mignon  (715)  was  a 
large  dapple  gray  Percheron  mare  belonging  to  Mr,  Poilpre. 

LUTHJCR  (792). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud  Book  of  France.] 

Bay;  foaled  May  16,  1869;  bred  and  owned  by  Mr.  Anatole  Miard,  of 
Echauifer,  department  of  the  Orne.  Got  by  Pierre  (887)  (belonging  to  Mr. 
Miard),  he  by  Laboureur  (886)  (also  belonging  to  Mr.  Miard),  he  by  Jean, 
le  Blanc  (739)  (belonging  to  Mr.  Miard  the  elder),  he  being  a  direct  de- 
scendant of  the  famous  Arab  stallion  Gallipoli,  etc.;  dam  Rosette,  belonging 
to  Mr.  Miard  and  sired  by  Laboureur  (887).  The  dam  of  Pierre  was  Margot 
by  Faisan.  The  dam  of  Laboureur  was  Sophie  by  Sandi.  In  the  Perche 
the  name  of  this  family  of  horses  and  the  name  of  Miard  are  synonymous 
terms,  as  for  over  half  a  century  this  strain  has  been  bred  in  all  its  purity 
by  the  Miards,  father  and  son,  until  to-day  it  stands  preeminently  forth  as 
one  of  the  grandest  families' of  the  Percheron  race. 

FAVORI  I  (7il). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud  Book  of  France.] 

Foaled  1862;  bred  near  Nogent-le-Rotrou;  got  by  Vieux  Chaslin  (713) 
(belonging  to  Mr.  Theodore  Vinault,  of  La  Ferte  Bernard,  department  of 
the  Sarthe),  he  by  Coco  (712)  (belonging  to  Mr.  Chounard,  then  residing 
at  Champeau,  department  of  the  Eure  et  Loir,  he  b)^  Mignon  (715)  (belong- 
ing to  Ml*.  Poilpre,  of  Montmirail,  Sarthe),  he  by  Jean  le  Blanc  (739) 
(belonging  to  Mr.  Miai'd,  of  Villiers  in  Ouche  (near  Sap),  department  of 
the  Orne),  he  being  a  direct  descendant  of  the  famous  Arab  stallion  Galli- 
poli, etc.  The  dam  of  Favori  I  was  Robine,  a  pure-bred  Percheron  mare, 
sii-ed  by  one  of  the  best  Percheron  horses  of  his  day,  belonging  to  Mr. 
Perriot  the  elder,  then  residing  at  d'Amilly,  department  of  the  Orne. 

Favori  I  was  owned  by  Mr.  Perriot  the  elder,  and  was  one  of  the 
famous  horses  of  the  Perche,  and,  as  will  be  seen  by  this  catalogue,  many 
lines  of  breeding  trace  directly  to  him. 


28  SAVAGE    &   FAENUm's    CATALOGUE 


IMPORTED   AJSTD   PURE   BRED   STALLIOJSTS. 


ADOLPH  2666  (11§0). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  ttie  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Black  grey;  weight,  1,750  lbs.;  foaled  1882;  imported  1883;  got  by  Narbonne  1334 
(777;,  he  by  Brilliant  1899  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page 
37);  dam  Rosalie  by  Duke  de  Rouen  174  (722),  he  by  Porthos.  A  very  clean  limbed 
blocky  colt,  of  good  action  and  a  remarkable  fast  walker,  his  sire  being  one  of  the  most 
noted  horses  in  France. 

ALEXANDRE  3724  (2600). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Bay;  16  hands;  weight,  1,630  lbs.;  foaled  1881;  imported  1884;  got  by  Vainquer, 
he  by  Luther  (792),  he  by  Pierre  (887),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam 
Poule  by  Pierre  (887),  etc.  Very  stylish  and  active,  and  is  in  almost  every  particular  a 
choice  colt. 

BATARD  3483  (350). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Iron  grey;  16|^  hands;  weight,  1,695  lbs. ;  foaled  1882;  imported  1884;  got  by  Bril- 
liant 1271  (755),  he  by  Brilliant  1899  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree 
see  page  27);  dam  Poule  by  Brilliant  1899  (756),  etc.  Long  round  body,  broad  breast  and 
stifle,  level  hip,  fine  head  well  set  on  long  slim  neck.  A  smooth,  well  built  horse  and 
an  extra  good  mover. 

BRILLIAXT  3867  (2706). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Bay;  foaled  1882;  imported  1884;  got  by  Bayard,  he  by  Thomas;  dam  JVIignonne 
by  Favori  I  (711)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).  A  bright  blood  bay  with  full 
black  points,  with  flat  and  rather  short  legs,  remarkably  large  arm,  broad,  deep  shoulders, 
high,  broad  loin,  long  level  quarters  and  heavy  stifle,  constituting  a  good  specimen  of 
the  purely  draft  horse  type. 

BIJFFOX  2389  (1098). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Black;  foaled  1880;  imported  1883;  got  by  Brilliant  1271  (755),  he  by  Brilliant  189& 
(756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  L'Amie  by  Supe- 
rior 454  (730),  he  by  Favori  I  (711),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).  In  color, 
form  and  action  an  exact  prototype  of  his  sire,  the  celebrated  Brilliant.  (For  cut  see 
page  18.) 


SAlVSO]XXET  3552  (2467).    (For  pedigree  see  page  35.) 


PBRCHERON    HORSES.  31 

CERNAY  264S  (1236). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Dark  grey;  16  hands;  weight,  1,605  lbs. ;  foaled  1882;  imported  1883;  got  by  Fa- 
vor! II,  he  by  Favora  1543  (765),  he  by  French  Monarch  205  (734);  dam  Lisa  by 
Duke  de  Chartres  162  (721).  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27). 
A  colt  of  good  bone  and  substance,  well  set  neck,  fine  ear,  pleasant  countenance, 
slightly  Roman  nose. 

CHAMPAIG]^  3678. 

[Kecorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Book  of  America.] 

Blue  grey;  ISJ  hands;  weight,  1,500  lbs.;  foaled  1882;  got  by  Black  Prince  1574;  dam 
La  Belle  974.  Head  carried  high ,  deep  shoulders,  broad  in  breast  and  stifles,  well  rounded 
body,  heavy  and  clean  limbs,  remarkable  feet,  and  a  colt  giving  promise  of  becoming  an 
excellent  breeder.     (For  cut  see  page  52.) 

COWqUERAWT  3751  (179§). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Black;  16^  hands;  weight,  1,750  lbs. ;  foaled  1882;  imported  1884;  gotby  Faisant;dam 
Julie  by  Pierre  (887)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).  A  horse  of  extraordinary 
style,  rather  racey  in  appearance,  long  neck,  fine  in  throttle,  fine  head,  clean,  bony, 
beautifully  moulded  and  carried  very  high,  perfectly  rounded  body,  splendid  loins,  long 
level  hips,  tail  set  nicely,  most  excellent  feet,  and  an  unlimited  amount  of  vital  force 
which  he  exhibits  in  every  motion. 

OABRIEE  2696  (40). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Light  dapple  grey;  16  hands;  weight,  1,750  lbs. ;  foaled  1881;  imported  1883;  got  by 
Narbonne  1334  (777),  he  by  Brilliant  1899  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of 
pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  Pauline  by  Favora  I  (711),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  seepage 
37).  A  colt  of  most  excellent  proportions,  long  bodied,  short  back,  very  long  hip,  round 
barrel,  short  strong  legs,  good  feet,  heavy  bone. 

HUMBERT  2649  (1195). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Grey;  16  hands;  weight,  1,750  lbs.;  foaled  1882;  imported  1883;  gotby  L'Ami.  he 
by  Brilliant  756,  he  by  Coco  II  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  Selina  by 
Mouton  (1640),  he  by  French  Monarch  205  (734).  A  colt  of  strong  characteristics  and 
fine  appearance,  good  head,  large  prominent  eye,  high  crest,  sloping  shoulders  of  great 
depth  and  breadth,  hips  broad  and  smooth  with  great  stifle  development,  legs  clean  and 
flat  with  good  shaped  feet;  although  large  he  has  an  abundance  of  energy.  (For  cut  see 
page  56.) 

JUPITER  3692  (216). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Dark  grey;  16  hands;  weight,  1,650  lbs. ;  foaled  1881;  imported  1884;  gotby  Voltaire, 
he  by  Monarque;  dame  L'Amie  by  Solide.  This  colt  has  a  lofty  carriage,  most  elegantly 
rounded  body,  unequalled  back,  quarters  and  flank,  three  points  seldom  ever  found  in 
one  animal,  all  in  a  high  order  of  perfection.  He  stands  squarely  and  perfectly  upon 
his  legs,  which  are  very  clean  and  free  from  hair;  his  feet  are  the  very  best,  his  action 
high,  easy  and  graceful.     (For  cut  see  page  9.) 


32  SAVAGE    &    FAENUm's    CATALOGUE 

LOSIER  34§9  (353§). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Booksof  France  and  America.] 

Brown  bay;  15f  hands;  weight,  1,509  lbs. ;  foaled  1881 ;  imported  1884,  got  by  Romu. 
lus,  he  by  Bayard,  he  by  Jean  Bart  716,  he  by  Bayard;  dam  Poule  by  Florentin,  he  by 
Decide,  belonging  to  the  French  government.  Losier  is  of  medium  size,  smooth  and 
well  finished. 

MILASfO  2654  (1260). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 
Reddish  grey;  16^  hands  ;  weight,  1,730  lbs. ;  foaled  1882  ;  imported  1883;  got  by 
Vanquer  1941  (1083),  he  by  Pierre  (887),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27) ;  dam 
Constance  by  Jean  Bart  (716),  he  by  Bayard.  Fine  head,  well  set  ears,  is  nicely  cut  in 
the  throttle,  neck  of  good  length,  shoulders  deep  and  sloping,  withers  high  and  excellent 
back,  hips  well  formed,  tail  well  set,  stifles  broad  and  powerfully  muscled,  legs  broad, 
clear  and  flat,  feet  of  the  very  best,  and  a  vigorous,  square  mover,  both  walking  and 
trotting.     (For  cut  see  page  33.) 

IVOIIIAD  2172  (9§9). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Grey;  16i  hands;  weight,  1,610  lbs  ;  foaled  1882;  imported  1882;  got  by  Narbonne 

1334  (777),  he  by  Brilliant  1899  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  -pedigree  see 

page 27);  dam  Frozine  by  Favori  I  (711),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).  A  colt  of 

extra  good  quality,  well  balanced  throughout,  and  an  excellent  stepper. 

ORESTES  2173  (992). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America] 
Dark  grey;  16  hands;  weight,  1,560  lbs.;  foaled  1882;  imported  1882;  got  by  Vi- 
docq  1917  (1084),  he  by  Vidocq  II  (723),  he  by  Vidocq  483  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for 
extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27) ;  dam  by  Vidocq  483  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  etc. 
A  bright  looking  stylish  colt  of  most  remarkable  action,  with  all  the  qualities  and  vim  of 
a  thoroughbred  he  unites  the  characteristic  docility  of  the  Percheron  race;  the  elegance, 
finish  and  harmony  of  proportions  of  this  colt  makes  him  a  favorite.  (For  cut  see 
page  46.) 

PATROCEE  2620  (116T). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 
Grey;  weight,  2,050  lbs.;  foaled  1882;  imported  1883;  got  by  L'Ami  ;  he  by 
Brilliant  1899  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  Lizette  by 
Waterloo  2199  (733),  he  by  Jean  Bart  (716),  he  by  Bayard.  A  most  remarkable  colt  with 
excellent  feet,  clean  nervy  limbs,  a  fine  loin  and  quarter,  prominent  eye,  dishing  and 
intelligent  face,  with  a  very  heavy  mane  and  tail,  and  notwithstanding  his  great  size,  he 
is  a  very  clean  cut  symmetrical  animal. 

PEUVIOSE  3755  (6§3). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 
Dark  grey;  15f  hands;  weight,  1,690  lbs. ;  foaled  1882;  imported  1884;  got  by  Nar- 
bonne  1334  (777),  he  by  Brilliant  1899  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedi- 
gree see  page  27);  dam  Paquerette  by  Superior 454  (730),  he  by  Favori  I  (711),  for  exten- 
sion of  pedigree  see  page  27).  A  compact  yet  stylish  and  very  active  horse,  full  of  vigor 
and  energy.  In  general  form  his  harmony  of  proportion  is  rarely  equaled,  being  unusually 
good  in  almost  every  point,  is  an  extra  good  walker,  and  trots  at  a  very  rapid  gait  for 
such  a  heavy  horse.     (For  cut  see  page  21.)' 


IWILA^^O  2654  (1260).     (For  pedigree  see  page  32.) 


PERCHERON    HORSES.  35 


POMIPEl  2635  (1127). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.  ] 

Grey;  15|  hands;  weight,  l.^GO  lbs. ;  foaled  1883;  imported  1883;  got  by  Sandi  1930 
(1079),  he  by  Nogent  738  (729),  he  by  Vidocq  483  (732).  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension 
of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  Rosalie  by  Bijou,  he  by  Favori  I  (711),  (for  extension  of 
pedigree  see  page  27).  Pompey  is  well  formed  with  many  unusally  well  developed 
points,  well  muscled,  good  strong  bone  and  feet  of  the  very  best  quality,  walks  well  and 
trots  with  great  spirit. 

REBfFORTH  2659  (1225). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Brown  bay;  16  hands;  weight,  1,595  lbs.;  foaled  1882;  imported  1883;  got  by  Cato 
2002  (931),  he  by  Confidence  920  (763),  he  by  Favora  666  (725),  he  by  Favori  I  (711),  (for 
extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  Lizette  by  Vidocq  483  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714), 
(for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).  A  colt  of  fair  style,  well  finished  in  every  part, 
he  has  an   abundance  of  quality  and  as  a  general  purpose  horse  is  a  good  specimen. 

SABfSOWWET  3552  (2467). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Dapple  grey;  16^  hands;  weight,  1,760  lbs.;  foaled  1879;  imported  1884;  got 
by  Charmant,  he  by  Coco,  he  by  Favora  1542  (765),  he  by  French  Monarch  205  (734); 
dam  Bijou  by  Sansonnet,  he  by  Jupiter,  belonging  to  the  French  government.  This  is 
one  of  those  lofty,  powerfully  made  horses  that  possess  uncommon  style,  beautifully 
arched  neck,  with  an  abundance  of  mane,  round  body,  extra  loins,  flat,  strong  quarters, 
a  well  sloped  shoulderj  broad  and  deep  breast,  with  unusual  well  placed  muscles  and 
very  clean,  flat  legs,  upon  which  he  stands  admirably.  His  action  is  high  and  coachy, 
and  his  temper  very  mild  and  gentle,  yet  lively  and  spirited.     (For  cut  see  page  29.) 

SELIM  3694  (2360;. 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Dapple  grey;  16|  hands;  weight,  1,735  lbs.;  foaled  1881;  imported  1884;  got  by 
a  son  of  Selim  (749),  he  by  Porthos;  dam  Fanchett  by  Selim  (749),  he  by  Porthos.  This 
horse  i*  rather  rangy  in  appearance,  with  good  length  of  body,  best  of  feet,  heavy  bone, 
smooth  build,  up-headed  and  gamey,  and  a  remarkable  fast  stepper,  as  well  as  being 
very  attractive. 

VERT  GAEEAKT  3550  (2464). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Dark  grey;  16i  hands;  weight,  1,770  lbs.;  foaled  1880;  imported  1884;  got  by 
Vidocq  1917  (1084),  he  by  Nogent  738  (729),  he  by  Vidocq  483  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714), 
(for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  Biche  by  Margot  295  (795),  he  by  Favori  I 
(711),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).  In  general  make  up  the  embodiment  of 
size,  quality  and  finish,  showing  as  few  objectionable  points  as  are  found  in  the  very 
best  of  animals;  good  feet,  clean,  flat  legs,  broad  stifles,  strong  back,  high  withers,  sloping 
shoulders,  fine  neck,  small  throttle,  good  ear,  broad  between  the  eyes,  face  slightly 
dished,  indicating  the  resolution  and  energy  he  possesses,  to  which  are  added  an  uncom- 
mon quick  movement.  These  are  some  of  the  qualities  combined  in  this  horse  and  go 
to  make  up  what  critical  judges  pronounce  a  choice  draft  horse.     (For  cut  see  page  26.) 


GRADES. 


While  we  breed  nothing  but  pure  bred  stock  at  Island  Home,  we 
have,  and  are  prepared  to  furnish,  very  fine  stallions  and  mares,  well 
graded  up,  at  very  reasonable  rates. 


1*1X1  3833  (26§3),     (For  pedigree  see  page  40.) 


PEBCIIERON    HORSES.  '^9 


IMPOETED  AND  PUEE  DEED  PEEOHEEOJST 

MAEES. 


CELINA  3§65  (2619). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud  Books  of  France  and  America.) 

Black;  foaled  1881;  imported  1884;  got  by  Paul,  he  by  Madere  (772),  he  by  Brilliant 
<756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27),  dam  Bijou  by  Madere 
<772),  he  by  Brilliant  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27.) 
Broad  round  hips,  clean  limbs,  wide  deep  chest,  rather  long  bodied,  a  bright  intelligent 
face  and  a  good  traveler. 

ELIf^EI  3§69  (261S). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud  Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Grey;  foaled  1883  ;  imported  1884;  got  by  Yarmouth  dam  Mignonne,  by  Solide,  he 
by  ZSTogent  (729),  he  by  Vidocq  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see 
page  27.)    A  finely  developed  yearling,  and  gives  promise  of  a  good  Brood  IMare. 

GATIXE  3§63  (2674). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud  Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Black;  foaled  1884;  imported  1884;  got  by  Passe  Partout  (394),  he  by  Brilliant  (755), 
he  by  Brilliant  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27),  dam  of 
sire  Josephine  by  Coco  II  (714),  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27),  dam  Bijou,  by 
IMEouton  (1640),  he  by  French  Monarch  (734).  Gatiue  obtained  great  notoriety  in  France 
for  her  remarkably  large  arms  and  stifles,  and  was  parted  with  only  under  circumstances 
of  great  stress. 

ISIS  1744. 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Book  of  America.] 

Foaled  in  1881 ;  got  by  Chaldean  637  (854),  he  by  Coco,  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  he  by 
Vieux  Chaslin  (713),  he  by  Coco  (712),  he  by  Mignon  (715),  he  by  Jean  le  Blanc  (789), 
€tc. ;  dam  Clara  Bell  (795).  (For  description  see  Mouvette,  her  mate.)  (For  cut  see  page  41.) 

HARIOX  3§64  (2682). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.!  ^ 

Black;  foaled  1884;  imported  1884;  got  by  Passe  Partout  (394),  he  by  Brilliant  (755), 
he  by  Brilliant  (756),  he  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  of 
sire  Josephine  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27),  dam  Madelon,  by 
Favora  (765),  he  by  French  Monarch  (734).  Very  large  for  her  age,  with  the  markings  and 
characteristics  of  her  grand-sire,  Brilliant. 


40  SAVAGE  &  FARNUm's  CATALOGUE 

MOUVETTE  2805  (1544). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Pereheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 
Light  grey;  foaled  1881;  imported  1883;  got  by  Madeira  1546  (770),  he  by  Vidocq 
483  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27);  dam  by  a  son  of 
Vidocq  483  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714),  etc.  Good  form  and  action;  good  feet  and  flat 
legs  standing  squarely  under  her  body,  broad,  level  hips,  deep  chest,  roomy  body, 
well  crested  neck,  good  head  and  face,  and  a  capital  mover. 

WINI  3833  (2683). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Pereheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 
Bay;  foaled  1882;  imported  1884;  got  by  Passe  Par'tout  (1442),  he  by  Comet  (719),  he 
by  French  IMonarch  (734),  dam  of  sire  Therese  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree 
see  page  9);  dam  Lina  by  Monton,  he  by  French  IVTonarch  (734).  With  all  the  disadvan- 
tages of  a  recent  sea  voyage,  ITini  took  first  premium  at  the  ISTew  York  State  Fair,  held  at 
Elmira  September  last,  not  ten  days  after  her  arrival.  A  bright  mahogany  bay,  clean, 
smooth  and  symmetrical  throughout,  finely  crested  neck,  clean  throttle,  small  clean 
head  well  set  on,  and  altogether  the  finest  specimen  of  the  Pereheron  brood  mare  we 
have  ever  seen.     (For  cut  see  page  38.) 

PELOTE  3866  (2622). 

[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Pereheron  Stud  Books  of  France  and  America.] 

Black;  foaled  1882;  imported  1884;    got  by  Lamoureux,  he  by  Favora  1542  (765), 

he  by  French   IMonarch  205(734);  dam  Rosette  by  Solide,  he  by  IS'ogerit  (729),  he  by 

Vidocq  (732),  he  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).    Imported  with 

Celina,  and  a  good  mate  for  her,  though  she  will  eventually  attain  a  greater  weight. 

ROSETTE  3868  (1887). 
[Recorded  with  pedigree  in  the  Pereheron  Stud-Books  of  France  and  America.] 
Dark  grey;  foaled  1883;  imported  1884;  got  by  IVIadere,  dam  Julie  by  Brilliant  (755), 
he  by  Brilliant  (756)  he  by  Coco  II  (714)  (for  extension  of  pedigree  see  page  27).     A  very 
fine  colt  and  all  that  her  breeding  indicates. 


ISIS  1744.     (For  pedigree  see  page  39.) 


PBECHERON    HORSES. 


43 


Pony  Mare  and  Colt,  by  Imported  Success. 

Weight  of  Mare,  750  lbs. ;    colt,  1,200  lbs. ;    sire,  1,700  lbs. 

This  mare  is  owned  by  Ira  Albro,  Wayne,  111.  Has  produced  eleven  colts  by  Per- 
cheron  sires,  some  of  which  have  weighed  1,400  lbs.,  and  none  less  than  1,100  lbs.,  at 
maturity. 


IMPROVEMENT  OF  BREEDS  BY  USE  OF  LARGE  SIRES. 

The  improvement  of  all  classes  of  domestic  animals,  whether  horses, 
cattle,  sheep  or  swine,  has  been  brought  about  by  the  use  of  the  finest  pure- 
bred males.  The  great  herds  of  Texas  and  the  West  have  been  doubled 
in  value  during  the  past  ten  years  by  the  use  of  superior  bulls  of  Short- 
horns, Herefords,  and  other  improved  breeds. 

The  native  flocks  of  the  country  have  been  increased  in  clip  of  wool 
more  than  double  of  thirty  years  ago  by  the  use  of  pure-bred  rams.  The 
swine  have  been  transformed  by  the  same  process.  I)i  all  cases  large  and 
well  formed  males  of  pure  hlood  have  accomplished  the  work.  The  improve- 
ment of  horses  has  been  left  to  the  last.  The  past  fifteen  years,  however, 
has  worked  a  wonderful  change.  While  the  general  public  accepted  and 
believed  in  the  use  of  large  males  as  a  means  of  improvement  of  all  other 
animals,  the  use  of  large  stallions  met  a  vigorous  opposition,  as  it  was  fully 
believed  by  a  majority  of  our  people  that  if  large  stallions  were  bred  to 
small  mares,  the  mares  would  certainly  die  in  foaling;  and  the  fear  of  pro- 
ducing a  coarse,  ill-formed  colt  in  case  the  parturition  was  successfully 
passed  was  aggravated  by  the  popular  fallacy,  that  has  existed  for  ages, 
that  the  proper  way  to  breed  was  to  use  small  sires  and  large  dams.  These 
theories  were  fostered  by  all  men  owning  small  stallions,  who  saw  that  by 
the  introduction  of  large  horses  their  business  Avould  be  injured.  The 
inconsistency  of  such  reasoning  is  apparent,  and  contrary  to  all  natural 
laws,  as,  in  the  aggregate,  the  females  of  all  species  are  much  smaller  than 
the  males,  thus  plainly  indicating  that  any  deviation  from  normal  sizes  of 


44 


SAVAGE    &    FAENUM'S    CATALOGUE 


sexes  should  be  in  favor  of  large  males.  The  instinct  of  animals,  as  well  as 
of  man,  leads  to  the  mating  of  extremes,  which  is  nature's  equalizer  of  sizes, 
and  among  mankind  any  danger  from  such  practice  is  never  given  a 
thought.  The  existence  of  such  ideas,  however,  seriously  impeded  exten- 
sive experiments  in  the  use  of  large  stallions. 

Those  days  are,  however,  passed,  and  our  people  have  learned  that  the 
same  theory  that  improves  cattle,  improves  horses  as  well,  and  the  great 
call  for  large,  fine,  pure  bred  stallions  is  increased  in  proportion.  In  the 
great  horse  bands  of  the  West  and  South  are  now  to  be  seen  large  numbers 
of  fine  imported  Percheron  stallions,  producing  grand  results  which,  as 
people  see,  they  are  imitating,  and  the  demand  for  the  ranges  is  increased 
as  rapidly  as  did  the  demand  for  bulls  when  their  success  was  established. 
One  range  now  has  forty  imported  stallions  in  service  upon  it.  The  owners 
of  another  band  of  six  thousand  head  are  going  to  adopt  pure-bred  stallions 
wholly,  having  tried  them  in  a  small  way  first.  Great  numbers  of  smaller 
breeders  are  buying  pure  bred  Percherons.  Their  success  is  assured  and 
the  demand  difiicult  to  supply.  The  foregoing  picture  of  pony  raare  and 
colt  gives  an  idea  of  the  result  which  can  be  seen  on  almost  any  range 
where  imported  sires  have  been  in  use  long  enough.  The  United  States 
government  has  seen  the  value  of  the  Percheron  cross,  and  has  become  a 
liberal  patron  for  the  Indians. 


ORESTES  2173  (992).    (For  pedigree  see  page  32.) 


PERCHERON    HORSES.  47 


THE  SUPERIORITY  OF  THE  PERCHERON  RACE  OVEPt 
ALL  OTHER  DRAFT  BREEDS. 


REASONS  WHY  THEY  ARE  MORE  ENDURING,  BETTER  TEMPERED. 
AND  ALWAYS  NATURAL  WORKERS. 


The  following  is  an  extract  from  an  essay  delivered  by  M.  W.  Dunham 
before  the  meeting  of  the  American  Percheron  Horse  Breeders'  Associa- 
tion, held  at  Chicago,  November  15,  1883  : 

Since  the  first  introduction  of  Percheron  horses  into  this  country,  a  radical  change 
has  taken  place  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  At  that  date  horses  of  fifteen  or  sixteen 
hundred  pounds  were  considered  too  large  for  the  use  of  the  country,  and  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  people  believed  that  only  the  most  disastrous  results  would  be  obtained  by 
the  use  of  such  horses  as  a  cross  upon  our  ordinary  stock.  Time,  however,  dispelled 
this  illusion,  and  when  it  was  thoroughly  demonstrated  by  actual  practice  that  the 
crosses  were  very  superior  animals  and  sold  readily  in  the  market  at  a  much  higher  price 
than  any  ever  produced  in  the  country  for  work  purposes,  the  prejudice  gradually  dis- 
appeared, and  many  people  who  had  been  opposed  to  so  violent  a  cross  began  to  argue 
that:  "if  the  results  of  medium  sized  animals  were  so  good,  we  will  increase  tlie  size 
and  produce  still  better  results  by  the  using  of  still  larger  ones ;"  and  from  their  first 
introduction  there  has  been  a  yearly  increasing  mania  for  larger  and  larger  horses,  until 
there  has  grown  a  demand  for  the  very  largest  that  can  be  found.  As  a  result,  Ameri- 
cans have  traversed  all  parts  of  Europe  seeking  the  very  largest  animals,  irrespective  of 
breed,  sacrificing  every  other  quality  to  size  alone.  The  deleterious  effect  of  this  unfor- 
tunate course  upon  the  horse  stock  of  the  country  will  be  measured  largely  by  the  length 
of  time  this  practice  continues.  At  present  there  is  very  little  indication  of  a  change. 
Avoirdupois  establishes  the  value  with  very  many  of  the  purchasers,  and  is  a  weakness 
that  is  eagerly  seized  upon  by  the  importer  and  seller;  as  by  it  breeding,  quality, 
harmony  of  action  and  proportion,  and  all  the  essential  elements  of  a  good  horse,  are 
overlooked  and  disregarded,  and  inferior-bred  and  cheap  horses  are  being  sold  in 
America  at  the  present  time,  if  they  are  only  large,  for  as  high  a  price" as  the  finest  bred 
and  most  valuable  animals  of  their  kind,  to  many  people  who  do  not  know  or  who  do 
not  care  as  long  as  the  people  will  use  them.  The  bitter  experience  of  those  who  make 
that  mistake  will  doubless  exercise  a  wholesome  influence,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the 
time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  essential  elements  of  value— symmetry  of  form,  perfec- 
tion of  action,  constitutional  vigor,  and  a  prepotency  inherited  from  the  finest  lineage 
(transferred  through  generations  of  the  best  blood  of  the  kind)— will  be  recognized  by 
all  who  desire  to  purchase  stallions  with  a  view  to  the  improvement  of  the  stock  of  the 
country.  It  is  unquestionably  true  that  the  largest  animals  have  not  proven  the  most 
valuable  sires,  from  the  fact,  doubtless,  that  being  abnormal  in  size,  they  are  themselves 
accidental  results,  and  therefore  must  necessarily  only  occasionally  or  accidentally  repro- 
duce themselves.  The  medium  and  normal  size  is  the  safest,  as  in  reproducing  himself 
or  any  of  his  ancestors  (they  being  nearly  alike  in  size),  it  gives  a  certainty  of  uniformity 
only  to  be  obtained  by  individuals  who  are  the  likeness  of  their  prototype  for  genera- 
tions. In  order  to  successfully  select  animals  of  the  greatest  value  for  breeding  pur- 
poses, it  is  necessary  to  have  a  correct  knowledge,  not  only  of  the  breeding  or  ancestry 
of  the  animal,  but  also  the  processes  of  rearing  them  for  generations;  for  it  is  by  their 
inherent  qualities  and  educated  habits  that  their  future  usefulness  as  breeders  is  assured. 
Thus,  in  selecting  horses  for  the  saddle,  it  is  indispensable  to  secure  one  descended  from 
a  race  that  instinctively  possesses  those  gaits  most  sought  after  in  individuals  used  for 
that  purpose.     You  can  then,  with  a  degree  of  certainty,  expect  that  the  produce  of 


48  SAVAGE    &    FARNUm's    CATALOGUE 

that  animal  will  readily  adapt  itself  to  the  desired  gaits,  as  they  belong  naturally  to  the 
family  from  which  they  are  descended.  So,  also,  in  selecting  a  stallion  for  breeding 
horses  for  the  race-course,  we  would  think  it  folly  to  recognize  any  other  than  the  purest 
thoroughbred  as  worthy  of  our  attention.  In  selecting  a  sire  for  breeding  trotting  horses, 
we  use  the  same  judgment  and  discretion,  recognizing  individual  merit  in  the  ancestry 
and  instinctive  capabilities  in  the  individual  as  of  the  utmost  importance.  In  other 
words,  he  must  be  descended,  through  both  sire  and  dam,  from  animals  that  trot 
naturally  themselves,  and  have  proven  their  capabilities  by  their  performances.  This 
practice  is  a  rule  among  all  intelligent  men  in  selecting  horses  for  the  services  mentioned ; 
but  when  it  comes  to  the  selection  of  animals  for  the  production  of  valuable  workers, 
our  people  seem  to  forget  all  the  ordinary  precautions  they  consider  necessary  in  select- 
ing animals  for  other  purposes,  and  simply  breed  from  horses  that  happen  to  be  in  their 
vicinity,  or  whose  style  attracts  them,  regardless  and  absolutely  thoughtless  of  any  other 
valuable  qualification.  To  state  it  plainly,  the  work  horses  of  this  country  have  been 
bred  at  random.  Until  within  the  last  few  years  very  little  thought  or  attention  has 
been  given  to  or  money  used  in  the  improvement  of  the  heavier  class  of  work 
horses  in  the  United  States.  And  even  at  the  present  time,  when  the  mania  for  large 
horses  has  seized  upon  everybody,  it  is  doubtful  if  one  man  in  a  hundred  ever  asks  the 
question  whether  the  animal  he  breeds  from  is  inherently  possessed  of  the  valuable 
qualities  necessary  to  make  good  work  horses,  in  himself  or  by  hereditary  transmission. 

In  no  country  but  France,  that  I  am  aware  of,  is  any  special  attention  given  to  this 
subject.  The  French  recognize  the  fact  that  in  order  to  produce  hardy,  vigorous,  endur- 
ing and  willing  workers,  it  is  just  as  necessary  for  them  to  be  for  generations  the 
descendants  of  both  sires  and  dams  who  are  individually  trained  to  the  work  their 
progeny  will  be  called  upon  to  perform,  thus  developing  their  physical  powers,  and  by 
constant  use  acquiring  those  habits  of  labor  and  that  docility  of  temper  that  gradually 
become  instinctive  powers,  and  develop  into  hereditary  and  transmissible  forces.  The 
gentleness  and  docility,  as  well  as  the  vigor  and  hardihood,  of  the  animals  produced 
from  the  first  cross  of  Percheron  sires  upon  our  native  stock,  and  the  readiness  with 
which  they  adapt  themselves  to  work,  with  scarcely  any  education  or  training,  convinces 
us  of  the  fact  of  a  prepotency  in  French  blood  more  powerful  than  that  of  any  other 
large  breed  known  to  us.  From  these  convincing  facts  we  are  forced  to  the  conclusion 
that  one  of  the  great  reasons  why  Percherous  have  been  more  successful  in  this  country 
in  the  production  of  uniformly  vigorous,  docile  and  active  horses,  perfectly  suited  to 
the  wants  of  our  people,  is  that  they  have  been  bred  for  ages,  Accustomed  to  severe 
labor  and  vigorous  exercise,  under  constant  control,  until  they  have  become  natural, 
instinctive  workers  themselves,  and  possess  the  prepotent  power  of  transmitting  all  their 
qualities  to  their  progeny,  who  are  iorn  with  the  natural  aptitude  and  enduring  capabilities 
for  work  possessed  by  their  sires. 

These  facts  are  worthy  the  careful  consideration  of  our  breeders,  whose  practices 
have  been  so  entirely  different. 

It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  in  all  countries  where  large  horses  are  raised,  except 
in  France,  when  an  exceedingly  fine  colt  is  produced,  which  gives  a  promise  of  making 
a  suitable  breeding  animal,  it  is  given  extra  attention  and  care,  in  many  cases  being  fed 
considerable  grain  before  being  weaned  ;  and  at  weaning  time  it  is  carefully  tied  in  a 
stall,  kept  in  a  state  of  inactivity  (or  at  best  put  in  a  loose  box),  and  is  reared  to  matur- 
ity by  a  forcing  system,  with  an  entirely  inadequate  amount  of  exercise  necessary  to 
develop  the  natural  physical  qualities  of  the  animal.  When  arrived  at  suHicient  age 
for  breeding  purposes,  this  same  course  of  inactivity  is  continued,  as  the  custom  of  the 
countries  is  against  the  working  of  large  stallions;  and  if  allowed  to  work  and  do  the 
common  drudgery  of  the  farm,  they  would  lose  caste  and  be  called  old  work  horses, 
and  thereby  lose  the  patronage  of  the  public  which  makes  them  valuable  to  their  owners. 
This  system  of  idleness  is  universally  followed  in  all  countries  except  France,  and  has 
had  a  very  disastrous  effect,  as  by  inactivity  the  horse  loses,  to  a  great  extent,  his  powers 
of  endurance  (or  rather  fails  to  develop  them) ;  and  at  the  same  time  idleness,  and  isola- 
tion from  all  animals  of  his  kind,  induces  moroseness  and  irritability  of  temper,  which 
increases  with  age.  When  used  as  a  sire,  the  animal  reproduces  in  his  progeny  the  quali- 
ties that  by  this  mismanagement  have  been  developed  in  him  ;  and  the  continuation  of 
this  process,  generation  after  generation,  has  produced  in  our  large  breeds  a  lack  of 
physical  quality,  and  that  viciousness  of  temper  which  has  made  them  so  unpopular 
among  the  American  people.  And  it  was  not  until  the  introduction  of  the  Percherons — 
a  race,  as  we  have  before  stated,  educated  from  the  earliest  periods  to  hard  work — that 
our  people  could  be  made  to  believe  in  the  superiority  of  a  large-sized  horse  over  a 
small  one  for  the  general  work  of  the  country. 

I  therefore  say  to  you,  gentlemen,  that  if  you  desire  to  preserve  the  valuable  qual- 
ities of  the  Percheron  free  from  degeneration,  feed  the  colts  you  keep  for  breeding 


PEKCHERON    HORSES.  49 

purposes  well,  but  do  not  pamper  them.  Give  them  abundance  of  exercise.  Pasture 
them,  if  possible,  as  there  is  no  food  like  the  natural  food.  If  you  cannot  pasture  them, 
give  them  a  box  stall  as  large  as  you  can  possibly  afford,  witli  plenty  of  ligiit  and  pure 
air;  and  when  they  are  old  enough  to  work,  work  them,  as  it  is  by  these  means,  and 
these  alone,  that  you  can  preserve  in  thorn,  and  make  it  possible  to  transmit  to  their 
progeny,  those  qualities  which  are  so  much  sought  after,  and  so  necessary  in  the  liard 
service  demanded  of  horses  in  this  country. 

It  is  perhaps  proper,  as  I  am  as  greatly  interested  in  the  Percheron  race  as  any 
other  man,  individually,  to  give  my  views  as  to  the  amending  of  the  rules  of  our  society 
so  they  may  conform  to  those  of  the  French  Socicte  Hippique  Percheronne.  The  neces- 
sity of  the  establishment  of  public  records  for  the  authentic  preservation  of  the  pedi- 
grees of  all  breeds  of  animals  is  so  thoroughly  acknowledged  by  all  intelligent  men, 
that  the  subject  needs  no  discussion.  It  is  the  only  means  for  the  protection  of  the 
people  against  imposition,  as  many  of  the  grades  are  equal,  and  even  superior,  in  appear- 
ance to  the  pure  breeds,  although  they  are  greatly  inferior  as  breeders.  These  facts  are 
generally  known  and  acted  upon  in  the  purchase  of  all  kinds  of  well-bred  animals. 
Although  the  Percheron  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  perhaps  the  purest  bred  of  all  the  draft 
horses,  without  a  stud-book  we  have  no  means  of  protection.  For  in  France,  as  well  as 
in  all  other  countries,  are  found  nearly  all  races  of  horses,  and  a  large  amount  of  cross- 
breeding is  done  in  some  parts  of  the  country. 

Until  the  organization  of  the  Societe  Hippique  Percheronne,  composed  of  nearly 
all  the  prominent  breeders  in  the  JPerche,  including  the  governor  of  the  department,  and 
other  high  government  oflficials,  and  the  publication  under  government  authority  of  a 
stud-book  in  which  to  record  all  animals  of  Percheron  birth  and  established  origin,  there 
has  been  no  means  of  protection  for  the  buyer.  And  the  question  for  us  now  to  deter- 
mine is,  whether  we  shall  support  and  sanction  the  action  of  the  French  breeders,  from 
which  we  will  receive  such  a  powerful  safeguard  as  will  be  given  us  by  the  publication 
of  a  stud-book,  containing  positive  information  as  to  the  origin  and  pedigree  of  the  stock 
they  offer  us,  or  whether  we  shall  cast  away  the  protection  and  assistance  they  offer  us, 
for  the  temporary  benefits  to  be  derived  from  indiscriminate  purchases,  regardless  of 
purity  of  blood.  There  is  no  doubt  that  it  is  for  the  temporary  interest  of  importers, 
who  do  not  have  the  future  welfare  of  the  country  at  heart,  to  disregard  all  pedigrees, 
and  oppose  all  action  tending  toward  the  establishment  of  records,  as  they  can  then 
import  horses  of  inferior  breeding  (and  therefore  possessing  no  value  as  stock  horses), 
and  sell  them  as  well,  if  equal  in  appearance,  as  the  purest  blooded  and  most  valuable 
horses  of  the  breed.  My  belief  is,  that  any  'practice  that  would  be  detrimental  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  agriculturists  and  farmers  of  this  country,  would  eventually  be  detrimental  to  the 
interests  of  all  importers :  for  upon  the  valuable  results  obtained  by  the  crosses  depends  the 
success  of  the  importer  and  breeder  of  purebred  stock. 

Entertaining  these  views,  I  can  but  give  my  hearty  support  to  the  Societe  Hippique 
Percheronne,  and  advise  the  amendment  of  our  rules  to  conform  to  theirs;  and  to  reject 
for  registratioQ  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Book  of  America  all  imported  animals  not 
recorded  in  the  Percheron  Stud-Book  of  France  ;  thus  establishing  a  guarantee,  for  the 
future,  of  purity  of  blood  of  the  Percheron  race  second  to  no  breed  of  horses  in  the 
world . 


50  SAVAGE    &    FARNUM'S    CATALOGUE 


DRAFT-HORSES. 


The  following  article  appeared  in  The  GMcago  Daily  Tribune  of  July  16,  1881 ;  and 
as  it  demonstrates  beyond  question  the  superiority  of  the  Percheron  breed  over  all  other 
races  of  draft-horses,  when  crossed  upon  our  native  mares,  for  the  production  of  valu- 
able work  animals,  I  deem  it  worthy  of  careful  perusal : 

Draft- Horses — Their  Breeding  One  op  the  Important  Industries  of  the  Day — 
The  Experience  op  Dealers  who  Buy  and  Sell  40,000  Horses  Annually — 
Relative  Merits  of  Percheron,  Clydesdale  and  English  Horses — Opinions 

OF  ALL   THE   LEADING  DEALERS  IN  NeW  YoRK  AND   CHICAGO  ON  THE   SUBJECT — 

They  are  Unanimous  in  Preferring  the  French  Breeds  Over  all  Others — 
More  Enduring,  Best  Dispositioned,  Stand  Pavements  Best,  and  Bring  the 
Highest  Prices. 

The  Tribune,  as  the  acknowledged  champion  of  the  agriculturists  of  the  great 
Northwest,  whose  progressive  ideas  have  been  established  and  developed  under  its  tute- 
lage, presents  to  its  readers  in  this  issue  a  most  valuable  and  timely  array  of  facts  bearing 
upon  the  relative  merits  of  the  different  breeds  of  draft-horses  that  are  being  bred  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada. 

This  subject,  although  of  vital  importance  to  the  people,  is  one  that,  for  various 
causes,  has  been  handled  very  tenderly  by  those  papers  whose  duty  it  is  to  give  the  facts 
to  their  readers.  The  agricultural  press,  which  claims  to  be  wholly  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  farmers,  for  fear  of  losing  advertising  patronage  by  publishing  that  which 
would  injure  anybody  engaged  in  handling  what  is  called  Improved  stock,  has  attempted 
to  pursue  a  course  that  would  conciliate  all.  The  result  has  been  the  mystification  of 
the  people,  who  are  at  more  of  a  loss  what  to  do  than  if  nothing  had  been  written. 

In  order  that  the  facts  might  be  known  to  the  people,  that  they  might  pursue  the 
most  profitable  course  of  breeding,  representatives  of  the  Tribune  were  instructed  to 
procure  of  the  well  known  and  leading  dealers  in  the  New  York  and  Chicago  horse 
markets  information 

UPON   THE   FOLLOWING  POINTS: 

If  they  handled  draft  horses  to  any  extent,  what  breeds  they  handled.  Of  which 
particular  breed  they  sold  most.  Why  they  sold  most  of  that  breed.  If  the  horses  of 
that  breed  were  possessed  of  more  endurance  than  others.  If  they  had  better  feet  and 
lasted  longer  on  the  city  pavements.  If  they  commanded  higher  prices,  or  what  were 
the  reasons  for  this  particular  breed  being  the  favorite.  This  will  account  for  the  simi- 
larity of  some  of  the  interviews,  as,  where  the  gentlemen  interviewed  did  not  in  their 
statements  cover  the  several  points,  these  questions  were  generally  propounded. 

The  result  will  be  of  immense  value  to  all  those  engaged  in  breeding  horses,  as 
well  as  those  who  have  horses  to  buy  and  have  not  had  experience  upon  which  to  base 
their  judgment  in  purchasing.  This  evidence  is  of  the  very  best  that  can  be  obtained, 
for  it  is  the  accumulated  knowledge  of  years  of  experience  of  those  who  furnish  perhaps 
40,000  horses  annually  directly  to  those  who  buy  them  to  wear  out. 

In  order  to  avoid  mystifying  those  persons  not  versed  in  the  different  names  often 
applied  to  the  same  breeds,  we  will  explain  briefly  by  stating  that  those  classed  as 
Clydesdales  are  mostly  the  produce  of  horses  imported  direct  from  Scotland,  or  bred  in 
Canada,  and  imported  to  the  United  States.  Under  the  head  of  English  horses  are  com- 
prised Ihe  large  Lincolnshire,  the  Yorkshire,  the  Suffolk,  and  other  strains. 

The  French  breeds  are  composed  of  the  Percherons,  the  Brittany  and  the  Boulon- 
nais.  In  this  country  people  distinguish  them  as  Percherons,  Percheron-Normans,  Nor- 
man-Percherons,  Normans,  and  French  horses.  The  pure  breds  are  all  recorded,  or 
eligible  for  entry,  in  "  The  Percheron-Norman  Stud  Book." 

The  Percherons  are  considered  superior  to  all  the  French  families,  and  at  the  Uni- 
versal Exposition  in  1878,  and  at  all  the  great  shows  of  France  for  years,  they  have  car- 
ried off  the  prizes. 

The  result  of  the  interview  was  as  follows: 


CHAMPAIGJi  36T8.     (For  pedigree  see  page  31.) 


PERCHERON    HORSES,  53^ 

ISAAC   H.    DAHLMAN. 

Of  209  and  211  East  Twenty-fourth  street,  New  York  city,  bein^  called  upon,  requested 
the  scribe  to  call  in  the  evening,  as  he  was  too  busy  to  give  any  time  during  the  day. 
In  conversation  with  other  dealers  it  was  learned  that  Mr.  I.  II.  Daliiman  is  by  far  the 
most  extensive  horse  dealer  in  the  New  York  horse  market,  and  in  fad  in  the  country. 
Nearly  all  the  dealers  called  upon  referred  to  him  as  the  highest  authority  on  liorseflesh. 

Calling  in  the  evening,  Mr.  Dahlman  said: 

"I  handle  between  9,000  and  10,000  horses  annually  on  my  own  account.  Do  not 
handle  horses  on  commission  for  other  people.  Tiiese  include  all  kinds  of  horses — draft, 
coach,  driving,  trotting,  and  railroad  horses.  Between  2,500  and  3,000  of  these  are 
heavy  draft-horses.  Of  tlie  draft-horses  I  handle,  the  great  proportion,  nearly  all,  are 
Percheron-Normans.  These  Percheron-Norman  horses  are  docile,  intelligent,  broad 
between  the  eyes,  and  have  some  brain.  They  are  easily  broken,  and  are  steady  in  har- 
ness— meaning  that  they  don't  fret  when  they  do  their  work.  •  They  are  powerful  horses 
and  compactly  built — short  in  the  back,  deep  in  the  body,  and  broad  in  the  chest.  This 
gives  them  what  we  call  'a  good  dinner  basket.' 

"  The  Norman-Percherons  have  tlie  best  feet  of  any  horse  in  America.  They  have 
a  high  cup  foot.  Their  feet  will  stand  work  on  the  pavement  better  than  those  of  any 
other  breed.  Tliey  are  short-coated  and  thin-skinned,  and  stand  the  hot  weather  the 
best  of  any  breed.  Our  heavy  draft-horses  here  have  the  hardest  worlc  in  hot  weather. 
The  Norman-Percherons  generally  give  the  best  satisfaction  to  the  people  who  buy  them 
to  wear  out.  They  are  very  finely  developed  for  their  ages.  I  put  them  into  the 
heaviest  work  when  four  years  old,  and  they  stand  it.  Am  buying  them  as  old  as  I  can 
get,  but  cannot  get  them  over  four  years  old.  I  buy  these  horses  because  they  give  the 
best  satisfaction  to  my  customers. 

"I  don't  want  it  understood  that  all  Norman  horses  have  the  good  qualities.  I 
have  seen  some  imported  that  were  as  bad  shaped  horses  as  could  be  found.  Some  are 
what  I  call  '  nigger-toed,' — too  long  in  the  back  and  very  narrow-waisted.  They  were 
not  worth  their  freight  from  France  here.  That  class  of  horses  is  only  imported  by 
people  who  have  no  judgment  in  selecting  horses — who  buy  to  sell  and  not  to  breed.  If 
a  man  with  judgment  goes  to  France  to  select  a  stallion  or  a  mare  lie  can  find  them  with 
the  quality. 

"A  cross  on  the  thoroughbred  with  a  Norman  crossed  again  with  a  thoroughbred 
makes  a  nice  coach  horse.  There  is  a  scarcity  of  coach  horses  in  this  country,  and  the 
demand  is  increasing  yesirly.     It  would  pay  to  import  some." 

Mr.  Dahlman  was  then  asked  in  what  respect  he  considered  the  Clydesdale  horses 
inferior  to  the  French  horses.  He  said:  "I  will  not  give  you  any  criticism  on  the 
Clydesdales.  I  buy  very  few  of  them.  I  prefer  to  pass  his  stable  and  say  nothing 
about  him." 

Being  asked  as  to  the  relative  prices  he  was  willing  to  pay  for  Norman-Percherons 
and  other  breeds,  Mr.  Dahlman  said  he  should  have  to  decline  to  answer  that  also,  as,  if 
he  did,  every  farmer  who  owned  a  Norman  horse  would  want  $10  more  for  him. 

He  was  then  asked  what  breed  of  horses  he  would  recommend  farmers  to  breed 
from  with  reference  to  selling  on  the  New  York  market.  His  answer  was  that  he 
thought  that  The  Tribune  readers  would  understand  that  from  what  he  had  already  said. 

SOLOMON    MEHRBACH, 

Of  154  East  Twenty-fourth  street,  New  York  city,  expressed  himself  as  follows: 

"  I  deal  largely  in  all  the  different  kinds  of  draft-horses — Clydesdales,  English  and 
Belgian,  and  the  French  horses  called  Percherons  or  Normans.  Don't  know  which 
class  I  handle  most  of.  Have  no  preference  for  either  breed,  and  find  that  one  class  of 
horses  sells  as  well  as  another.     A  good  horse  sells  well  at  any  lime. 

"The  Clydes  are  pretty  good  horses,  but  rather  flat-footed  and  slim-waisted." 
Mr.  Mehrbach  then  left  to  attend  to  some  customers,  saying  that  he  did  not  think 
the  western  farmers  needed  any  information  on  the  subject  of  horse-breeding. 

Returning  the  next  day,  and  pressing  Mr.  Mehrbach  for  more  information,  he  said: 
"Have  you  seen  Mr.  I.  H.  Dahlman  ?"  The  reporter  said  he  had.  "Well,  he  likes 
the  Normans,  don't  he  ?"  "  Yes."  "  Well,  I  like  the  Clydes.  1  handle  more  of  them 
than  I  do  of  the  Normans.  They  give  better  satisfaction  to  my  customers,  have  more 
bone,  better  feet  and  last  longer.     They  have  more  action  than  the  Normans." 

A.    S.    CHAMBERLIN, 

Of  147  East  Twenty-fourth  street.  New  ITork  city,  runs  what  are  known  as  "the  Old 


54  SAVAGE    &    FABNUM's    CATALOGUE 

Bull's  Head  "  stables.  He  has  been  longer  in  the  stable  business  than  any  man  in  New 
York  city,  having  been  so  engaged  for  upward  of  forty  years.     Mr.  C.  said: 

"I  keep  exchange  and  sale  stables  for  horses.  Don't  deal  on  my  own  account  to 
any  extent.  All  classes  of  horses,  amounting  to  several  thousands  annually,  come  to 
my  stables  from  all  sections  of  the  country.  A  large  number  of  these  are  draft  horses 
of  the  different  breeds,  the  Clydesdales,  the  French  horses  called  Percherons  or  Nor- 
mans, the  English  and  Belgian.  There  seems  to  be  a  larger  demand  for  the  French 
horses  than  for  any  other  breed. 

"Some  years  ago  we  used  to  get  a  great  many  horses  from  Upper  Canada.  These 
M'ere  Clydesdales,  and  would  weigh  from  1,400  to  1,600  pounds,  but  they  did  not  seem 
to  answer  the  purpose;  as  a  general  thing  their  feet  were  thin-shelled  and  flat,  and  being 
heavy  horses  their  feet  would  become  sore  and  would  not  stand  the  pavements.  The 
French  horses  have  good  feet  and  stand  the  pavements  better  than  the  Clydesdales. 
That  is  the  reason  they  sell  better.  The  Norman  horses  are  the  finest  looking  and  most 
attractive;  have  better  action,  are  quicker  stepping  horses,  and  stand  their  work  better 
than  the  Clydes.     The  Norman  horse  brings  a  better  price  on  the  market. 

"  The  Clydesdales  are  heavy-boned,  heavy-limbed  horses,  strong  in  the  shoulder, 
and  strong-hipped.  They  are,  however,  short-ribbed,  slim  waisted,  and  lack  action. 
Comparatively  few  Clydesdales  are  now  brought  to  this  market.  Either  they  don't 
raise  them,  or  don't  bring  them  to  this  market.  The  demand  is  largely  for  the  Norman 
horses. 

"  I  would  advise  the  farmers  and  breeders  who  are  breeding  horses  to  sell  on  the 
New  York  market  for  draft  purposes  to  breed  from  the  French  horses  in  preference  to 
all  others." 

OAKLEY   &   SMITH, 

Of  160  East  Twenty-fourth  street.  New  York  city,  were  seen.     Mr.  Oakley  said  : 

"Our  firm  handles  several  thousand  horses  annually,  and  upward  of  a  thousand 
of  them  are  heavy  draft  horses.  We  handle  all  kinds  of  heavy  horses,  Clydesdales, 
English  and  Belgian,  and  the  French  horses  called  Percherons  or  Normans.  We  handle 
rather  more  of  the  Clydesdales  than  of  the  other  breeds.  We  handle  those  horses  we 
can  get  the  easiest.  There  is  no  greater  demand  for  the  Clydesdales  than  for  other 
breeds.  The  Clydesdales  are  generally  a  little  short  in  the  rib  and  light-waisted,  but 
have  good  shoulders  and  rumps. 

"I  don't  see  much  difference  in  the  feet  of  the  different  breeds,  or  their  wearing 
qualities.  The  Normans  are  good  stocky  horses,  compactly  built.  Still,  when  I  see  a 
horse  I  like,  I  pay  little  attention  to  the  breed." 

Mr.  Oakley  was  then  asked  what  class  of  horses  he  would  advise  the  farmers  and 
breeders  of  the  country  to  breed  to  with  reference  to  raising  horses  for  the  New  York 
market.  He  replied;  "A  cross  of  the  Norman  horse  on  our  native  mares  would  be 
my  choice,  and  that  is  the  sort  of  breeding  I  would  recommend." 

JACOB   DAHLMAN 

Of  207  East  Twenty-fourth  street.  New  York  city,  said: 

"I  handle  on  my  own  account  between  1,500  and  1,800  horses  annually.  This 
includes  all  kinds  of  horses,  but  a  large  proportion  of  them  are  heavy  horses  of  the 
various  large  breeds,  the  French  horses  called  Percheron-Normans,  Clydesdales,  English 
and  Belgian. 

"  I  handle  a  great  many  of  the  Percheron-Norman  horses,  more  of  them  than  of 
any  other  breed.  There  is  more  demand  for  them  than  for  any  other  class.  The 
French  horses  are  the  best,  have  the  best  feet,  last  longer  on  New  York  pavements, 
and  always  give  satisfaction.  They  are  more  compactly  built,  there  is  more  work  in 
them,  and  they  are  better  broken.     They  have  better  action  than  the  other  breeds. 

"The  Clydesdales  are  next  thing  to  the  Norman  horses.  They  are  very  good 
horses.  I  have  handled  a  good  many  of  them,  but  there  are  not  many  of  them  on  the 
market  nowadays.  As  to  prices,  anything  in  the  way  of  a  good  blocky  horse,  built 
like  a  Norman,  with  good  bone  and  good  feet,  will  bring  the  same  price  as  a  Norman 
horse. 

"I  would  advise  the  farmers  and  breeders  who  are  breeding  horses  with  refer- 
ence to  selling  on  the  New  York  market,  to  breed  from  the  Percheron-Norman  horses 
in  preference  to  any  other  breed. 

C.    &   H.    HAYMAN, 

Of  213  and  215  East  Twenty-fourth  street.  New  York  city,  were  also  seen.  Mr.  H. 
Hayman  said: 


IIUmBERT  2649  (1195).     (For  pedigree  see  page  31.) 


PEKCHERON    HORSES.  57 

"We  handle  about  2,000  horses  a  year,  principally  heavy  draft.  We  handle  all 
kinds  of  large  horses  raised  in  this  country,  including  Clydesdales,  the  French  horses, 
English  and  Belgian.  We  handle  more  of  the  Normans  than  of  the  others.  Have 
more  demand  for  them  tlian  for  the  other  breeds.  The  people  like  them  better,  and  they 
bring  higher  prices  than  the  other  breeds.  The  Norman  horses  have  the  best  feet,  and 
last  belter  on  the  New  York  pavements.  They  have  the  most  endurance,  and  generally 
give  good  satisfaction.  The  Norman  horse  is  more  easily  broken,  and  is  the  best  dispo- 
sitioned  horse  we  have.  Norman  horses  mature  sooner,  and  are  ready  for  the  market 
when  much  younger  than  those  of  other  breeds. 

"The  Clydesdales  are  open  made  horses,  not  so  compact  and  well-finished  as  the 
French  horses.  The  Clydesdales  are  not  only  not  so  well  shaped,  but  their  feet  are  not 
so  good  as  those  of  the  Normans. 

"We  would  advise  the  farmers  and  breeders  of  the  West  to  breed  to  Norman 
horses  in  preference  to  any  other  breed  with  a  view  to  selling  on  the  New  York  market." 

A.    M.    STEIN   &   CO., 

Of  229  Washington  street,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  were  seen.     Mr.  D.  W.  Stein  said: 

"  We  have  been  in  the  business  over  twenty  years.  We  handle  nearly  2,000  head 
of  horses  annually.  Large  numbers  of  them  are  heavy  draft  horses.  We  handle  all 
kinds,  the  Clydesdales,  the  French  horses  called  Percherons,  English  and  Belgian.  We 
handle  more  of  the  Percheron-Normans  than  of  any  other  breed.  There  is  more 
demand  for  them.  They  give  the  best  satisfaction,  no  matter  how  little  of  the  blood 
there  is  in  them.  Generally  they  have  good  feet  and  last  better  on  our  pavements  than 
the  Clydesdales,  or  any  of  the  other  breeds.     The  Belgian  horse  is  a  good  horse. 

"The  Percheron-Norman  horse  has  the  best  action  of  any  breed,  and,  weight  and 
condition  being  equal,  brings  the  highest  price  in  the  market. 

"  The  Clydesdales  haven't  as  good  a  foot,  haven't  as  good  action,  nor  as  much  rib 
nor  as  broad  a  breast  as  the  Percheron-Normans.  Neither  are  they  as  good  feeders. 
Take  a  Percheron  Norman  and  a  Clydesdale,  each  in  poor  condition,  and  feed  them 
alike  for  two  months,  and  the  Percheron-Norman  will  improve  200  per  cent,  more  than 
the  Clydesdale.  The  only  trouble  with  the  Percheron-Normans  is  their  scarcity.  Tell 
the  farmers  of  the  West  to  keep  their  Percheron-Norman  mares  and  breed  them.  I 
would  advise  them  to  breed  from  Percheron-Norman  horses  in  preference  to  any  other 
breed  for  the  purpose  of  selling  on  this  market." 

Mr.  Stein  has  made  quite  a  study  of  breeding  horses.  He  has  spent  some  time  in 
France,  and  seemed  quite  well  posted  as  to  the  French  methods  of  breeding. 

HENRY   NEWMAN, 

Of  328  Rutledge  street,  Brooklyn,  was  not  at  home  when  the  reporter  called,  but  his 
son,  Mr.  P.  Newman,  said: 

"  We  handle  a  large  number  of  horses  of  all  kinds.  A  good  many  are  heavy 
draft.  We  are  handling  mostly  French-Canadian  horses,  but  get  some  from  Ohio  and 
Indiana.  We  handle  more  French  horses  than  of  any  other  breed.  They  give  better 
satisfaction  than  the  Clydesdales  and  other  breeds.  They  have  better  feet,  and  last 
longer  on  our  pavements,  and  bring  better  prices  than  any  other  class  of  horses.  We 
have  more  demand  for  them,  and  they  give  satisfaction  generally.  They  are  more  com- 
pactly built  than  the  Clydesdales.     We  don't  like  the  long-geared  horses. 

"  We  would  advise  the  farmers  to  breed  from  French  horses  to  sell  on  this  market 
in  preference  to  any  other  breed. " 

S.    RICHEY, 

Of  341  Rutledge  street,  Brooklyn,  said: 

"  I  handle  a  large  number  of  horses,  principally  heavy  draft.  This  includes  all 
of  the  heavy  breeds,  Clydesdales,  English,  Belgian,  and  the  French  horses  called  Nor- 
mans. I  handle  about  the  same  number  of  each,  I  think.  The  Normans  are  com- 
pactly-built horses,  and  have  more  wear  in  them  than  the  other  breeds  of  horses.  They 
are  not  so  large.  The  Norman  horses  have  the  best  feet.  I  think  the  reason  is  on 
account  of  their  coming  from  the  West,  where  they  don't  have  to  shoe  them  so  young, 
and  the  soil  seems  to  agree  with  their  feet.  Their  action,  too,  seems  to  be  as  good  as 
that  of  the  other  breeds.  I  think  the  Clydesdales  or  English  horses  are  the  most  showy, 
have  more  size  and  stand  up  higher.  The  Normans  are  more  compact,  lower  built, 
shorter  necked — are  workers. 

"The  Clydesdales  have  more  white  marks  about  them — more  white  faces  and 
white  on  their  fore  legs  than  the  other  breeds,  and  that  hurts  them  for  this  market. 


58  SAVAGE    &    FAENUM's    CATALOGUE 

' '  The  prevailing  color  of  the  Norman  horses  is  gray,  and  a  matched  pair  of  grays 
-will  bring  more  money  than  any  other  color.  The  Normans  are  better  selling  horses, 
and  give  the  best  satisfaction  of  any  of  the  breeds  to  customers.  If  I  were  buying  for 
my  own  use  I  would  have  nothing  but  the  Normans.  I  would  advise  the  farmers  and 
breeders  to  breed  Norman  horses  in  preference  to  any  others  with  a  view  of  selling  on 
this  market." 

A.   J.    HEINEMAN, 

Of  Mansfield,  Ohio,  was  seen.     Mr.  Heineman  said: 

"I  handle  about  2,000  horses  a  year,  principally  heavy  draft  horses,  and  ship  alto- 
gether to  the  New  York  market.  I  handle  all  kind  of  draft  horses,  including  the 
Percheron-Normans,  Clydesdales,  Belgian  and  English  breeds. 

' '  I  handle  more  of  the  Norman  horses  because  there  is  more  demand  for  them, 
and  they  are  the  best  draft  horses  we  have.  After  the  Normans  the  Belgians  are  the 
best,  and  next  to  them  the  English. 

"  The  Normans  have  more  body,  are  finer  looking,  and  are  better  movers  than  the 
other  breeds.  They  have  better  feet  than  the  Clydesdales,  and  better  ends,  broad 
breasts  and  rumps.  The  Normans  are  better  dispositioned  horses  than  the  Clydesdales. 
The  brewers  of  New  York,  as  a  general  thing,  will  not  buy  a  Clydesdale  horse,  on 
account  of  his  feet  and  disposition.  We  can't  sell  one  Clydesdale  where  we  can  sell  100 
Normans.  The  Clydesdales  are  narrow-waisted,  as  a  general  thing,  and  cannot  stand 
what  a  Norman  can.  When  a  Clydesdale  horse  gets  sick  he  goes  to  pieces  quicker  than 
any  other  class  of  horses.     The  Clydesdales  have  no  constitutions. 

"  I  would  give  $50  more  for  a  good  Norman  or  Belgian  horse  than  I  will  for  a 
Clydesdale,  condition  and  weight  being  equal.  A  cross  of  Norman  and  Clydesdale 
makes  a  very  good  horse. 

"I  would  advise  farmers  and  breeders  to  breed  to  Norman  and  Belgian  horses  in 
preference  to  any  other  breed,  with  reference  to  selling  on  the  New  York  market." 

F.    J.    BERRY, 

Of  2  to  10  Monroe  street,  Chicago,  has  sold  about  600  horses  since  the  first  of  last  Janu- 
ary, and  handles  all  kinds  of  horses— French,  Clydesdales,  English  and  Belgian.  Said 
Mr.  Berry: 

"I  sell  more  of  the  Normans  than  of  any  other  breed,  because  they  are  sought 
after  more  than  the  others.  They  are  possessed  of  more  endurance  than  the  others;  ship 
better,  are  better  feeders,  and  for  all  purposes  are  far  superior  to  all  other  horses  now 
raised.  The  half  or  three-fourths  grades  are  better  for  heavy  draft,  while  the  lower 
grades  come  in  for  all  use.  From  one-eighth  to  one-fourth  grades  make  the  best  driving 
horses  and  have  splendid  action,  are.finely  developed,  and  have  good  style;  they  are  all 
well  flanked  down. 

"  They  have  better  feet  than  the  Clydesdales,  and  last  on  our  pavements  fully  as 
well  as  any  horses  we  have. 

"As  to  Clydesdales,  they,  as  a  general  thing,  are  good  feeders.  They  have  the  very 
best  bone,  and  are  large,  rugged  horses.  The  objection  to  them  is,  they  are  light  in  the 
flank,  and  a  little  long  in  the  back,  ship  poorly,  and  draw  up  in  the  flank.  They  are  a 
big  improvement  over  the  common  horse,  and  the  next  best  thing  to  the  Normans.  The 
Normans  have  good  action  and  are  fair  roadsters,  and  bring  better  prices  than  the  other 
breeds. 

"I  would  advise  every  farmer  to  breed  to  French  horses  in  preference  to  any  other, 
and  I  am  surprised  that  farmers  and  breeders  of  horses  pay  so  little  attention  to  the  kind 
of  horses  they  breed,  when  they  can  breed  Norman  horses  that  will  bring  in  the  market, 
when  four  or  five  years  old,  from  $150  to  |300  a  head.  I  used  to  be  prejudiced  against 
the  French  horses  before  I  had  handled  them  extensively,  but  now  I  am  convinced  that 
for  all  purposes  there  is  nothing  equal  to  the  grade  Norman." 

M.    NEWGASS, 

Of  17  and  19  Morgan  street,  Chicago,  has  a  general  trade  with  the  lumbermen  East  and 
West,  and  in  the  city.  He  handles  upwards  of  1,000  horses  annually.  Mr.  Newgass  said : 
"I  deal  in  all  the  various  breeds  of  draft-horses:  Percherons  or  Normans,  Clydes- 
dales, English  and  Belgian.  I  handle  most  of  the  Normans,  because  the  demand  for 
them' is  greater  than  for  the  other  breeds,  and  they  bring  the  highest  prices.  They  are 
'  more  enduring  than  the  other  breeds.  They  have  good  feet,  which  the  Clydesdales  and 
Canada  horses  have  not.     They  last  better  than  any  other  kind  on  our  pavements,  and 


PERCHERON    HORSES.  59 

are  more  attractive  looking  tlian  any  other  breed  of  liorses.  The  English  and  Belgian 
horses  are  fine  looking,  but  they  lose  a  little  across  the  loin.  They  lose  in  breeding,  not 
marking  their  stock  in  crossing  on  our  mares  after  one  or  two  crosses. 

"  The  Normans  are  true  to  work.     They  are  broken  before  they  are  ever  harnessed. 

"The  Clydesdales  are  like  a  girl  sixteen  years  old — they  have  no  waist.  Tliey 
haven't  good  feet  to  stand  the  pavements.  A  cross  of  the  Norman  and  Clydesdale 
makes  a  good  horse. 

"The  Norman  horse  is  a  drafter,  and  will  sell  in  New  York,  conditions  being 
equal,  for  from  |50  to  $75  more  than  a  Clydesdale.  The  Normans  are  preferred  East 
and  West.  The  Clydesdales  are  very  good  selling  horses,  but  they  don't  give  satisfac- 
tion. I  have  bought  a  great  many  Clydesdale  horses,  but  never  had  satisfaction  with 
them;  could  never  make  any  money  out  of  them,  and  frequently  have  had  to  take  them 
back  after  selling  them . 

•'The  Percheron  Normans  are  better  feeders  than  the  Clydesdales.  They  will 
make  a  better  appearance  by  fifty  per  cent,  on  the  same  amount  of  feed. 

"  From  my  experience  I  would  advise  the  farmers  and  breeders  of  our  country  to 
breed  their  mares  to  Percheron-Norman  horses  in  preference  to  any  other  breed." 

J.    S.    COOPEll, 

Of  174  and  175  Michigan  avenue,  Chicago,  said: 

"I  handle  all  kinds  of  horses— French,  Clydesdales,  English  and  Belgian.  I 
handle  more  of  the  Normans  than  of  any  other  breed.  A  gray  Norman  will  bring  more 
money  than  any  other  horse  on  our  market.     There  is  more  inquiry  for  them. 

"The  Norman  horse  has  better  feet— larger  feet  than  the  Clydesdales,  and  they 
last  longer  on  our  pavements.  While  the  Clydesdales  have  large  and  good  flat  bone, 
and  plenty  of  hair  on  their  legs,  I  find  them  light-barreled  and  ewe-necked.  I  think  . 
they  have  better  action  than  the  Norman  horses,"but  that  they  never  will  do  the  service 
of  the  Norman  on  our  roads.  If  anything,  I  think  they  are  inclined  to  be  fretful,  and 
not  as  level-headed  as  the  Norman  horse. 

"The  Norman  horses  are  the  finest  looking — most  attractive.  Gray  being  the  pre- 
vailing color  of  the  French  horses,  and  that  being  the  most  fashionable  color,  it  enhances 
the  price. 

"I  would  advise  the  farmers  to  breed  their  mares  to  Normans  in  preference  to  any 
other  breed,  and  to  breed  lots  of  tiiem,  as  the  demand  is  far  ahead  of  the  supply." 

JOSEPH   LAMB, 

Of  133  Michigan  avenue,  Chicago,  said: 

"I  handle  nothing  but  my  own  horses,  and  do  not  sell  on  commission.  Most  of 
my  trade  is  with  lumbermen  and  in  the  city.  I  handle  more  Normans  than  of  any  other 
breed,  because  they  are  more  salable  and  eagerly  sought  after,  the  only  drawback  to  the 
business  now  being  that  I  cannot  get  them  fast  enough. 

"  They  are  possessed  of  more  endurance  than  other  breeds;  give  good  satisfaction 
and  wear  well;  have  better  feet— last  better  on  our  pavements,  and  are  more  easily  accli- 
mated than  any  other  breed.  It  is  very  rarely  you  get  a  Norman  horse  with  bad  feet. 
They  are  good,  cheerful  walkers,  and  more  attractive  and  finer  looking,  with  better 
action,  than  the  other  large  breeds. 

"The  Clydesdales  are  not  an  enduring  class  of  horses.  The  essentials  of  a  good 
draft-horse  are  good  bone,  good  muscle  and  good  loin.  These  are  characteristic  of  the 
French  horses.     The  Clydes  have  good  bone,  but  lack  the  other  essentials. 

"  I  have  not  had  much  experience  with  the  English  and  Belgian  horses.  Mine  has 
been  mostly  with  French  horses  and  Clydesdales.  The  French  horses  have  always  given 
satisfaction,  while  the  Clydesdales  frequently  fail  to  do  so. 

"I  would  advise  farmers,  in  breeding  horses  to  sell  on  this  market,  to  breed  to 
French  horses  in  preference  to  any  others.  The  French  horses  are  docile,  willing 
workers,  while  the  Clydesdales  are  nervous  workers,  and  are  not  nearly  as  good  dispo- 
sitioned  horses  as  the  French.  The  French  horses  will  keep  on  much  less  feed  than  the 
Clydesdales." 

m 


./K^ 


ID.. 


-  »-'Hf '  ■^**^^N^''^'      ■  '      <%,.: 


